In Oct 2022, a chilling discovery was made in Vuvatu, a country known for its extensive volcanic landscapes. Scientists found the remains of a large organism that had no resemblance to any current form of life on Earth. The organism also had no resemblance to any fossils ever found, including the very few fossils ever recovered from Vuvatu (fossils are rarely ever found in Vuvatu since volcanic landscapes are generally not conducive of fossilization). The world buzzed with the possibility that this was a crash site for an extraterrestrial body. An extensive study of the uncovered remains was conducted by many research facilities. Their conclusions regarding the organism’s features are listed below: Physical features: The organism has a surprisingly soft and malleable exoskeleton that reflects ambient light, creating mesmerizing patterns. In fact, the remains highly suggest that most of its body parts are soft and blubbery rather than rigid. Habitat: Given its relationship with light, it is suggested that the organism does not commonly burrow. Q1 One group of scientists provided a statement quoted in the figure shown. Based on what we learned in the course about the fossil record (using only lecture and covered textbook material), please provide two reasons as to why this statement could be FALSE. Make sure you support your two reasons with information from the case. The statement is "Given that this organism was never detected in the fossil record, it must be extraterrestrial."

In Oct 2022, a chilling discovery was made in Vuvatu, a country known for its extensive volcanic landscapes. Scientists found the remains of a large organism that had no resemblance to any current form of life on Earth. The organism also had no resemblance to any fossils ever found, including the very few fossils ever recovered from Vuvatu (fossils are rarely ever found in Vuvatu since volcanic landscapes are generally not conducive of fossilization). The world buzzed with the possibility that this was a crash site for an extraterrestrial body. An extensive study of the uncovered remains was conducted by many research facilities. Their conclusions regarding the organism’s features are listed below:

1. Physical features: The organism has a surprisingly soft and malleable exoskeleton that reflects ambient light, creating mesmerizing patterns. In fact, the remains highly suggest that most of its body parts are soft and blubbery rather than rigid.

2. Habitat: Given its relationship with light, it is suggested that the organism does not commonly burrow.

Q1 One group of scientists provided a statement quoted in the figure shown. Based on what we learned in the course about the fossil record (using only lecture and covered textbook material), please provide two reasons as to why this statement could be FALSE. Make sure you support your two reasons with information from the case. The statement is "Given that this organism was never detected in the fossil record, it must be extraterrestrial."