Question

What is a connecting link?

Hint:

Archaeopteryx provides evidence of the evolutionary transition between reptiles and birds, showing a combination of traits from both groups.

Answer 1

Step 1: Definition of Connecting Link.
A connecting link refers to an organism or fossil that shows characteristics of two different groups, indicating an evolutionary transition. These organisms exhibit features from both ancestral and descendant groups.
Step 2: Conclusion.
Connecting links help trace the evolutionary process by showing the intermediate stages between different groups.
ii. Which fossil animal is considered as the connecting link between reptiles and birds? Give any one character of each class found in it.
Solution:
Step 1: The Connecting Link Between Reptiles and Birds.
The fossil animal considered as the connecting link between reptiles and birds is Archaeopteryx. Archaeopteryx had both reptilian and avian features, making it an important transitional fossil.
Step 2: Features of Archaeopteryx.
- Reptilian feature: It had teeth, which is characteristic of reptiles.
- Avian feature: It had feathers, similar to modern birds, used for flight.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Archaeopteryx is considered the connecting link between reptiles and birds due to its mixture of features from both groups.