Asked by Preston Campbell on Jun 26, 2024
Verified
Archaeopteryx is a fossil that clearly seems to be an intermediate form between dinosaurs and birds. Fossils like Archaeopteryx are termed
A) missing links.
B) stepping stones.
C) transitional links.
D) intermediates.
E) species links.
Transitional Links
Evidence of evolution, typically fossils, that bear a resemblance to two groups that in the present day are classified separately.
Archaeopteryx
An extinct dinosaur species known for having features of both birds and reptiles, considered a key piece of evidence in the evolution of birds.
Dinosaurs
A diverse group of reptiles of the clade Dinosauria, known from fossil evidence to have lived during the Mesozoic Era.
- Comprehend the idea of transitional forms and their importance in illustrating the evolutionary connections between various organism groups.
Verified Answer
JM
Jared MccombsJun 30, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
Fossils like Archaeopteryx are called transitional links because they show characteristics of both dinosaurs and birds and seem to be an intermediate form between the two. The term "missing links" is now considered outdated and inaccurate, as evolution does not require a linear progression with missing links in between. "Stepping stones," "intermediates," and "species links" are all similar in meaning to transitional links but are not as commonly used in scientific literature.
Learning Objectives
- Comprehend the idea of transitional forms and their importance in illustrating the evolutionary connections between various organism groups.