For decades, scientists relied on the fossil record and comparative anatomy to assemble evolutionary lineages. Which statement describes a limitation of these methods? (1 point) Responses They are not reliable evidence of how the body structures of organisms evolved. They are not reliable evidence of how the body structures of organisms evolved. They cannot be used to determine when species evolved. They cannot be used to determine when species evolved. They can show false relationships between organisms that are not reflected in the DNA. They can show false relationships between organisms that are not reflected in the DNA. They are no longer relevant because the fossil record is complete.
1 answer
The statement that best describes a limitation of relying on the fossil record and comparative anatomy to assemble evolutionary lineages is: "They can show false relationships between organisms that are not reflected in the DNA."
This limitation highlights the fact that morphological similarities can sometimes be due to convergent evolution or other factors, rather than shared ancestry, which molecular data (like DNA) can clarify.
