Factors That Affect the Fossil Record

Anatomy

Animals with a hard shell are more likely to be preserved than soft tissue

Size

Larger organisms more likely to be found

Number

If there’s more individuals of a species they’re more likely to be found

Environment

Marine species more likely to be found since there’s more sedentary rock near water

Time

Older species existing for a short time are less likely to be found

Geological Processes

Chemical processes affect likelihood of preservation

Paleontology

Certain fossils may be more interesting and more likely to look where fossils have already been found

Factors

Anatomy, size, number, environment, geological processes, time, and paleontology