What are transitional fossils?
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Transitional fossils are fossil specimens that show the intermediate stages in the evolution of a species or group of organisms. They help to bridge the gaps between different evolutionary stages and can provide crucial evidence to support theories of evolution. Transitional fossils can also help to explain the relationships between different groups of organisms and provide insights into the ways in which they evolved. Some examples of transitional fossils include the Archaeopteryx, which shows the evolution of birds from reptiles, and the Tiktaalik, which shows the transition from fish to tetrapods.
A fossil that shows an intermediate state between an ancestral trait and that of its later descendants is said to bear a transitional feature. The fossil record includes many examples of transitional features, providing an abundance of evidence for evolutionary change over time.
That's correct! Transitional features in fossils serve as evidence for the gradual evolution of organisms and the modification of traits over time. These fossils can reveal the intermediate stages between two groups of organisms or show the gradual development of a new trait. Transitional features can include structural or anatomical changes, changes in behavior, or changes to the genetic makeup of an organism. The discovery of transitional fossils has helped us understand the evolutionary history of many groups of organisms, including whales, birds, and humans.
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