Asked by samar alkhawaja on May 29, 2024
Verified
It is possible that the middle ear fully separated from the lower jaw at least twice within the mammalian lineage. Evidence of this convergent evolution comes from
A) a new fossil of a monotreme-like mammal with the bones of its middle ear still connected to its lower jaw.
B) a new fossil of a therian-like mammal with the bones of its middle ear still connected to its lower jaw.
C) a new fossil of a monotreme-like mammal with the bones of its middle ear fully separated from its lower jaw.
D) There is no evidence; the mammalian middle ear could only have evolved once.
Convergent Evolution
The process where organisms not closely related independently evolve similar traits as a result of having to adapt to similar environments or ecological niches.
Monotreme
A mammal that lays eggs instead of giving birth to live young, such as the platypus and echidnas, belonging to the most primitive order of mammals.
Therian
A subgroup of mammals that includes marsupials and placental mammals, distinguished from monotremes.
- Describe the evolution of specific anatomical structures in vertebrates, focusing on the middle ear in mammals and feathers in theropods.
Verified Answer
JP
Jason ParekhJun 01, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
The presence of a therian-like mammal fossil with middle ear bones still connected to the lower jaw suggests a separate evolutionary event from monotremes, indicating convergent evolution in the separation of middle ear bones from the jaw in mammals.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the evolution of specific anatomical structures in vertebrates, focusing on the middle ear in mammals and feathers in theropods.