AP BIOLOGY

EVOLUTION

EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Tiktaalik is a particularly important transitional fossil because it tells us about ____
A
the transition of animals from water onto land
B
the transition of mammals from land into water
C
the transition of dinosaurs from flightless to flying
D
the transition of bats from walking to flying
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -The Tiktaalik is considered an important transitional fossil from water-dwelling to land-dwelling animals because it contains the structures and characteristics of both aquatic and terrestrial animals. In particular, fossils of the Tiktaalik show that it had scales and gills like aquatic animals such as fish.

Detailed explanation-2: -So why is Tiktaalik referred to as a transitional creature? Its mix of characteristics of fish and of tetrapods suggest that it represents one of the moments in the transition between fish and tetrapods.

Detailed explanation-3: -Tiktaalik provides clues about a key transition in the history of life. Now extinct, this organism was a close relative of one our own ancestors-the first vertebrate to evolve four limbs and crawl out onto dry land.

Detailed explanation-4: -Jenkins, Jr., PhD, of Harvard University, Tiktaalik roseae represents the best-known transitional species between fish and land-dwelling tetrapods.

Detailed explanation-5: -Paleontologists have uncovered new fossils from Tiktaalik roseae, which, while still a fish, is considered a transitional fossil that also has traits common to the first four-footed animals. This more complete picture of Tiktaalik suggests that the creature had strong, mobile hind fins.

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