The diagram below represents one possible evolutionary change that could have led lobe-finned fish to develop into the first amphibians. Amphibians are animals that live on land some of their life.

Question

This change from fins on the lobe-finned fish to legs and feet on the early amphibian is most likely due to

(1 point)
Responses

a sudden mutation that changed the gills of the lobe-finned fish to lungs
a sudden mutation that changed the gills of the lobe-finned fish to lungs

variations among offspring, followed by natural selection
variations among offspring, followed by natural selection

increased competition between animals that had adapted to living on the land
increased competition between animals that had adapted to living on the land

the need to move to land because of increased competition for food in the ocean

Answer 1

The evolutionary change from lobe-finned fish to early amphibians is most likely due to variations among offspring, followed by natural selection.

This response aligns with the principles of evolution, where genetic variations in a population can lead to different traits, and those traits that are favorable for survival and reproduction in a specific environment are selected over time. The development of legs and the transition to land living would have provided advantages in accessing new resources and escaping predators, thus promoting the evolution of amphibians from their fish ancestors.