Throughout Earth’s history, we have had long periods of innovation and radiation of new species which have been interrupted periodically by five major extinction events that eliminated large percentages of the life on Earth. The last of these appears to have involved a collision with a large asteroid resulting in the loss of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous. Each of these events has been followed by a new period of radiation of new species and innovation. As Wilson states, we are now in the midst of a sixth major extinction event that has been brought on by the actions of humans. Describe the common pattern of alternating extinctions and radiations. Consider Wilson’s statement. What evidence can you find to support or refute that statement? Do you agree with Wilson? Explain why you do or don’t agree and present the evidence supporting your opinion. Solution The common pattern include rise of a higher taxon by eradication of other higher taxon. Extinction of dinosaurs made the radiation of mammals. After cretaceous period mass extinction, which was for dinosaurs, we are at sixth mass extinction. The order of extinction is Ordovician- Silurian extinction, Late Devonian, the Permian, Triassic-Jurassic and the Cretaceous-Tertiary. In addition, the sixth extinction is Holocene extinction or also called as Anthropocene extinction, which is ongoing extinction from 10,000 BC. We have already lost many plant and animals’ species and that extinction is 1000 times more than previous. The present extinction rate is 140,000 species per year. The sixth extinction is occurring by human activity; the dominance of human..