Concept explainers
To outline:
The major adaptations that emerged during the evolution of vertebrates from fish to amphibians to reptiles to birds and mammals.
Introduction:
Despite the obstacles to life on land, many species represented a tremendous evolutionary opportunity, especially plants. After land plants evolved, providing the potential source of food for other animals, animals emerged from the water (sea, ocean and so on).
To explain:
The way in which these adaptations increased the fitness of various groups for life on land.
Introduction:
After land plants evolved, providing the potential source of food for other animals, animals emerged from the water (sea, ocean and so on). The earliest evidence of first land animals comes from 430 million-year-old fossil. The first animals to come onto land were arthropods because they already possessed some specific structures that were suited for the life on land.
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Biology: Life on Earth with Physiology (11th Edition)
- What three processes characterize many major transitions? Would you consider mammals such as cetaceans (whales & dolphins) moving from terrestrial to aquatic habitats as a major transition? Explainarrow_forwardAmphioxus long has been of interest to zoologists searching for a vertebrate ancestor. Explain why amphioxus captured such interest and how it is different from the hypothesized most recent common ancestor of all vertebrates.arrow_forwardLampreys are jawless fish. Which conclusion about lamprey evolution is supported by the evidence in the diagram? A. Lampreys developed after hinged jaws formed. B. Lampreys once had hinged jaws but lost them during evolution. C. Lampreys are invertebrates and could not develop hinged jaws. D. Lampreys diverged from other vertebrates before hinged jaws evolved.arrow_forward
- Match the following: Homologous Structure flippers of dolphins (mammals) and wings of penguins (birds) Vestigial Structure using energy from the sun to create tissues Producers evidence of past life Analogous Structure opposable thumb in humans and other primates…arrow_forwardExplain how vertebrate evolution was led by cephalization, jaw development, and paired limbs. To further your answer, provide three vertebrates as examples.arrow_forwardFlight in birds developed over time due to multiple evolutionary steps. The development of feathers, hollow bones, large flight muscles, and efficient gas exchange was vital for flight. Describe the order in which these adaptations likely evolved and explain your reasoning.arrow_forward
- Cite and explain the factors that led to an enormous bloom of animal diversity in the Paleozoic era.arrow_forwardExplain how a cladistic classification for the vertebrates produces important regroupings of the traditional vertebrate taxa (refer to Figure 23.2). Why are Agnatha and Reptilia, as traditionally recognized, inconsistent with cladistic principles?arrow_forwardOne subgroup of ray-finned fishes, the teleosts, is exceptionally diverse. It includes about half of all vertebrate species. Early in their evolution, teleosts underwent a duplication of their entire diversification. Explain why such a duplication might make the evolution of new traits more likelyarrow_forward
- Pick a specific animal that exists today and research its ancestor from millions of years ago. How has this animal evolved? Compare it to the ancestor and explain why certain changes may have taken place.arrow_forwardWhich of the following observations best supports the conclusion that two animal species evolved from a common ancestor in recent geological history? A The species are both herbivores. B The species have similar bone structure. C The species live in the same environment. D The species both obtain oxygen from the air. Choosearrow_forwardThrough _______, a body part of an ancestor is modified differently in different lines of descent. a. homologous evolution c. adaptive divergence b. morphological convergence d. morphological divergencearrow_forward
- Concepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax College