Question

Similarities in Fossils



Figure 1 depicts the limbs of a human, lizard, cat, whale, bat, frog, and bird. The different bones in each limb are shaded and labeled using the human arm as a key. Figure 2 is a cladogram representing the evolutionary links between organisms.



Figure 1

From left to right, the illustration shows the forearm of a human, a lizard, a cat, a whale, a bat, a frog, and a bird. The human forearm is labeled from top to bottom, humerus, ulna, radius, and carpal. Each forearm bone is a different color. The finger bones are numbered, from left to right, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, except the bird, which has three finger bones numbered, from left to right, 3, 2, 1. Whales have the shortest humerus, ulna, radius, and fifth finger bones compared to the other organisms shown. In Bats, the Humerus and Radius bones are very thin, and they do not have an ulna bone. Bat finger bones are elongated with pointed sharp ends. Frogs and bats have the shortest first finger bone. Bats and birds have the least number of carpal bones compared to the other organisms shown. Cat finger bones are packed closely together, whereas they are apart in the other organisms.



Figure 2

From bottom to top, the cladogram's origin is labeled 'Four limbs evolved'. This line branches into two main lines. The left main line splits into two and are labeled 'Bat' and 'mouse' respectively. The right branch of the main line splits into two and are labeled 'Bird' and 'Lizard' respectively.





Based on both figures, which statement BEST compares bats and birds?


Birds developed four limbs while bats developed two limbs.


Bats and birds are both related to frogs and other amphibians.


Bats are more closely related to lizards than to birds.


Bats and birds developed wings and flight separately from each other.

Answer 1

Bats and birds developed wings and flight separately from each other.

The cladogram shows bats (grouped with mice/mammals) on a different branch than birds (grouped with lizards/reptiles), so their wings are a result of convergent evolution, not shared ancestry.