Question
Which of the following fossil record scenarios would best support the conclusion that two groups of species are evolutionarily related to one another?(1 point)
Responses
Fossils from both groups appear in the fossil record during the same time period
Fossils from both groups appear in the fossil record during the same time period
Trace fossils show that both groups of species ate very similar diets
Trace fossils show that both groups of species ate very similar diets
A group of fossils are found that have morphological features common to both groups
A group of fossils are found that have morphological features common to both groups
Fossils from both groups are found to be located in the same geographic region
Responses
Fossils from both groups appear in the fossil record during the same time period
Fossils from both groups appear in the fossil record during the same time period
Trace fossils show that both groups of species ate very similar diets
Trace fossils show that both groups of species ate very similar diets
A group of fossils are found that have morphological features common to both groups
A group of fossils are found that have morphological features common to both groups
Fossils from both groups are found to be located in the same geographic region
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The scenario that would best support the conclusion that two groups of species are evolutionarily related to one another is:
**A group of fossils are found that have morphological features common to both groups.**
This suggests that these groups may share a common ancestor and have diverged from that ancestor over time, indicating an evolutionary relationship. Morphological features can reveal common ancestry, whereas the other scenarios may suggest ecological similarities or geographic proximity but do not necessarily indicate a direct evolutionary relationship.
**A group of fossils are found that have morphological features common to both groups.**
This suggests that these groups may share a common ancestor and have diverged from that ancestor over time, indicating an evolutionary relationship. Morphological features can reveal common ancestry, whereas the other scenarios may suggest ecological similarities or geographic proximity but do not necessarily indicate a direct evolutionary relationship.