Dolphins (which are mammals) and sharks (which are fish) have stiff dorsal fins projecting from their backs that help them maneuver through water. These relationships of structures to each other are best described as
A) mutations.
B) homologous structures.
C) vestigial structures.
D) analogous structures.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Dolphin fins and shark fins are examples of analogous structures because they serve similar functions in different species that do not share a common ancestor for this trait. This is a result of convergent evolution, where different species evolve similar traits independently.

Dolphins (Which Are Mammals) and Sharks (Which Are Fish) Have