| Late Cretaceous |
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Late Cretaceous (100mya - 65mya) refers to the second half of the Cretaceous Period , named after the famous white Chalk cliffs of southern England , which date from this time. Rocks deposited during the Late Cretaceous Period are referred to as the Upper Cretaceous Series. This was a period of great success for Dinosaur s, with many new types appearing and diversifying, such as the Tyrannosaurs , Duck Bills , Ankylosauridae , and Horned Dinosaurs in Asiamerica (Western North America and eastern Asia), and Titanosaurs and Abelisaurs in Gondwana . Bird s became increasingly common and diverse, replacing the Pterosaur s which retreated to increasingly specialised ecological niches. In the seas, Mosasaur s suddenly appeared and underwent a spectacular evolutionary radiation. Modern sharks also appeared and giant-penguin-like Polycotylid Pliosaur s (3 meters long) and huge long-necked Elasmosaurs (13 meters long) also diversified. These predators fed on the numerous Teleost fishes, which in turn evolved into new advanced and modern forms ( Neoteleostei ). Near the end of the Cretaceous Period, Flowering Plant s diversified and Didelphid Marsupial s and primitive Placental Mammal s also became common. The period was ended by the Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction Event . |
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