Final answer:
The term sought refers to a variety of large prehistoric animal species, including mastodons and mammoths, which humans hunted and that coexisted during the Paleolithic era. These species are pivotal in studying the evolutionary history of mammals and understanding human impact on biodiversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for animals such as mastodons, mammoths, giant saber cats, camels, horses, along with a range of both herbivores and carnivores that existed alongside early humans, refers to a diverse group of prehistoric species, many of which are extinct. During the Paleolithic era, as humans spread into new environments, they had to adapt their survival strategies. This included hunting a variety of large animals that once thrived on Earth. Evidence of such interactions is found in archaeological remains and cave paintings, which show that ancient human hunting practices likely contributed to the decline of these species. These large animals occupied various habitats around the world, from the plains of Australia hosting giant marsupials and kangaroos to North America and North Asia with its mammoths and mastodons, illustrating the global impact humans had on wildlife populations.
Prehistoric humans engaged in large-game hunting, using sophisticated tools and group cooperation to take down enormous creatures like woolly mammoths. Additionally, therapsids were a group of ancient animals that exhibited mammalian characteristics and are considered important to the evolutionary lineage that led to mammals. Over time, these species evolved to possess traits aiding nocturnal life and adapting to various environmental challenges. The human role in altering environments and contributing to species extinction has been significant, indicating our ancestors' profound influence on the planet's biodiversity.