Question

question 13
1 pts
equus (horses) have a single toe on their hoof, while hyracotherium (the ancestor to horses) had four toes. which of the following evidence would support this conclusion?
○ a hyracotherium fossil that has one toe
○ an equus fossil that has four toes
○ a transition fossil that has one toe
○ a transition fossil that has three toes

Explanation:

The statement says horses (Equus) have one - toe hooves and their ancestor (Hyracotherium) had four toes. A transition fossil with three toes would show an intermediate stage in the evolutionary change from four - toed ancestors to one - toed modern horses, supporting the evolutionary relationship. A Hyracotherium fossil with one toe would contradict its known four - toed ancestral state. An Equus fossil with four toes would contradict its known single - toe state. A transition fossil with one toe would not show an intermediate step in the toe - number reduction.

Answer:

D. a transition fossil that has three toes