Permian refers to the geological period between about 299 and 252 million years ago, or to anything relating to that era. In geology and paleontology, it denotes a time of massive faunal and floral shifts preceding the Mesozoic, with distinctive climatic patterns. The term is used as an adjective describing Permian rocks, strata, or life; as a noun, it can denote the Permian period itself or certain organisms associated with it.
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