Although several invertebrate groups have been proposed as chordate ancestors,most zoologists now believe the embryological evidence indicates the chordates have probably descended from ancestors nearest the ___________ lineage.

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Embryological evidence suggests that the chordates have the closest common ancestor with the echinoderm lineage. Both groups share features such as deuterostome development, a notochord, and pharyngeal gill slits. Additionally, molecular data supports this relationship. While other invertebrate groups have been proposed as potential chordate ancestors, the evidence points towards echinoderms as the most likely.

Although Several Invertebrate Groups Have Been Proposed as Chordate Ancestors,most