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Ch. 34 - The Origin and Evolution of Vertebrates
Chapter 34, Problem 7

EVOLUTION CONNECTION Living members of a vertebrate lineage can be very different from early members of the lineage, and evolutionary reversals (character losses) are common. Give examples that illustrate these observations, and explain their evolutionary causes.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Evolutionary Lineage

An evolutionary lineage refers to a sequence of species, each of which is considered to have evolved from its predecessor. This concept highlights how living organisms can diverge significantly from their ancestors over time due to various evolutionary pressures, such as natural selection, genetic drift, and environmental changes.
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History of Evolutionary Theory Example 1

Evolutionary Reversals

Evolutionary reversals, or character losses, occur when a species reverts to a trait that was present in its ancestors. This phenomenon can happen due to changes in environmental conditions or shifts in ecological niches, leading to the loss of complex traits that are no longer advantageous for survival.
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Adaptive Radiation

Adaptive radiation is the process by which a single ancestral species rapidly diversifies into a wide variety of forms to adapt to different environments. This concept explains how vertebrate lineages can exhibit significant morphological and functional differences, as seen in the evolution of mammals from reptilian ancestors, driven by ecological opportunities and challenges.
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