Question

fossils of some cetaceans
oldest
ambulocetus natans
rodhocetus balochistanensis
basilosaurus isis
youngest
which statement provides the best evidence that ambulocetus natans is an ancestor of basilosaurus isis?
○ similar nitrogenous bases are found in the dna of each fossil
○ the fossils are found in different locations
○ the youngest fossil is larger than the older fossil
○ homologous structures occur in each fossil

Explanation:

• Similar nitrogenous bases are universal in all living things, so this does not specifically show ancestry.
• Fossils in different locations do not indicate a direct evolutionary relationship.
• Size difference alone is not evidence of ancestry, as many unrelated species vary in size.
• Homologous structures (body parts with similar underlying anatomy from a common ancestor) are key evidence of evolutionary descent, showing a shared structural origin between the two species.

Answer:

Homologous structures occur in each fossil