Charlie Sanabria

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There were three main extinctions during the Paleozoic era:

Ordovician–Silurian extinction:

Around 455 million years ago, the Ordovician–Silurian extinction happened. About 60% to 70% of all species were lost.

Devonian extinction:

Around 360 million years ago, the late Devonian extinction. About 40% to 50% of all species were lost. After this, the Tiktaalik emerged from the seas

The Permian extinction:

Around 252 million years, the Permian extinction happened. It is colloquially known as the Great Dying. The greatest in earth’s history 90% of the species lost. Animals like the Diametrodon, a proto-dinosaur, perished.

Source: Carl Sagan, Cosmos (New York: Random House, 1980)

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Full disclosure, I may occasionally borrow a sentence from Will Durant's Story of Civilization. I absolutely love that collection!