Vertebrates Gallery

Woolly rhinoceros

Woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis). Artist's impression of a woolly rhinoceros. This extinct mammal existed during the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs, 1.8 million years to 10, 000 years ago. It was widespread throughout the tundra of northern Eurasia until the end of the last Ice Age. It was well adapted to harsh cold conditions with thick, shaggy fur, small ears, short legs and a massive body to conserve heat loss. Cave paintings made by early humans 30, 000 years ago show woolly rhinoceros as well as other large mammals. The woolly rhinoceros grew up to 2 metres tall at the shoulder and 3.5 metres long. It had two horns, the longer, front horn reached up to 1 metre long

© CHRISTIAN DARKIN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Prehistoric wildlife of the Miocene era

Prehistoric wildlife from the Miocene era, illustration. From left to right: prehistoric pig (Bunolistriodon sp.); hornless rhino (Aceratherium sp.); three toed horse (Anchitherium sp.); four tusked mastodon (Gomphotherium sp.); deer (Procervulus sp.); two horned rhino (Dicerorhinus sp.); chalicotherid (Phylotillon sp.) and a primitve ursid (Hemicyon sp.)

© MAURICIO ANTON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Fish embryo, artwork

Fish embryo. Historical artwork showing stages in the development of a fish embryo. Figures 1 and 2 show gastrulation, the process of differentiation whereby the 3 germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm) are formed. Figure 3 shows neuralation, the formation of the neural tube, which will become the brain and spinal cord. Figure 4 shows the somites (blocks of mesoderm on either sode of neural tube), which will give rise to muscular and skeletal tissues. Figure 5 shows further differentiation of the head

© MEHAU KULYK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY