What kind of evidence does the fossil record provide to support evolutionary change?

The fossil record provides crucial evidence for evolutionary change through chronological sequences and transitional forms. This body of evidence illustrates how species have evolved over time, marking gradual changes in anatomical features and characteristics that connect different groups of organisms. For instance, fossils can show intermediate forms between ancestral species and their descendants, displaying traits that highlight the process of evolution. This evidence is particularly important for understanding the gradual nature of evolutionary changes and the mechanisms that drive speciation.

By observing these transitions in the fossil record, scientists can form a timeline of evolutionary history, providing insights into how life on Earth has diversified. Transitional fossils, such as those showing the changes from fish to amphibians or from reptiles to birds, are pivotal examples of these linkages, emphasizing not just the existence of different species, but also the relationships and sequences in which they appeared throughout Earth's history. This aspect of the fossil record is vital for supporting the theory of evolution, demonstrating that species are not static but undergo changes over time as a result of various evolutionary pressures.