The succeeding period of the Carboniferous period, the Permian, was the reign of amphibians and reptiles, and reptile-like mammal lizards ruled the earth. The end of the Permian period was dramatic for living organisms. According to some estimates, as much as 95% of species disappeared. The destruction was similar in the ocean and on the continents, and species disappeared from all groups, from insects to amphibians.
The destruction at the end of the Permian period is the greatest known mass extinction in the history of life. Four other mass extinctions (extinctions at the end of the Ordovician period, late Devonian period, end of Triassic period and end of Carboniferous period) are known through the fossil record. During a mass extinction the diversity of life decreases sharply and the majority of species disappear.
The fifth mass extinction is currently on its way. According to some estimates, dozens of species are disappearing daily. Therefore we are living in the middle of the biggest mass extinction in the world history.
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