A paleontologist finds a plant fossil that shows evidence of a cuticle. What can the paleontologist conclude?

Rephrased solution: Based on the principles of uniformitarianism and Darwinian evolution, a paleontologist can conclude that the plant fossil is about 450 million years old since the evolution of the cuticle developed around that time. The cuticle is a waxy layer that protects plants against dehydration, and this adaptation evolved as organisms moved from living in water to living on land. Therefore, the transition of life from water to land is estimated to have taken place about 450 million years ago. Thus, the discovery of a fossil showing evidence of a cuticle enables the paleontologist to date the fossil to about 450 million years ago according to the theory of evolution.