Humans share several features with salamanders. Certain genes and proteins are nearly identical between the two species; both species have four limbs with a similar skeletal structure; the species' early embryos are very similar; and where the salamander has a functional tail, humans have a vestigial tailbone. In evolutionary terms, these are examples of
A)geographic similarity.
B)homology.
C)adaptation by natural selection.
D)coincidental similarity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

These shared features between humans and salamanders demonstrate homology, which refers to shared characteristics between organisms due to a common ancestor. This suggests that humans and salamanders have a shared evolutionary history. Geographic similarity (A) refers to organisms that live in the same geographic region developing similar traits. Adaptation by natural selection (C) refers to traits that evolve and persist in a population due to their beneficial effects on survival and reproduction, while coincidental similarity (D) refers to traits that are similar between organisms but not due to a shared evolutionary history.

Humans Share Several Features with Salamanders