Both ancestral birds and ancestral mammals shared a common ancestor that was a terrestrial vertebrate. Today, penguins (which are birds) and seals (which are mammals) have forelimbs adapted for swimming. What term best describes the relationship of the bones in the forelimbs of penguins and seals, and what term best describes the flippers of penguins and seals?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The bones in the forelimbs of penguins and seals share homology, meaning they have a similar evolutionary origin, but the flippers of penguins and seals represent homoplasy, meaning they have similar functions but evolved independently.

Both Ancestral Birds and Ancestral Mammals Shared a Common Ancestor