Question

a scientist finds a fossil with limb bones like those of modern whales. the fossil has small hind limbs on the outside of its body. what evolutionary relationship does it suggest between the fossil and modern whales? the fossil evolved from modern whales but later returned to living on land. the fossil is a distant relative of whales, but its hind limbs suggest weak relatedness. the fossil and modern whales are unrelated since they live in different habitats. the fossil is an ancestor of modern whales, showing a shift from land to water.

Explanation:

Fossils with limb - bone similarities to modern whales and small hind limbs suggest an evolutionary link. Modern whales are thought to have evolved from land - dwelling ancestors. The presence of hind limbs on the fossil indicates it may be an ancestor that was in the process of transitioning from land to water.

Answer:

The fossil is an ancestor of modern whales, showing a shift from land to water.