The picture shows the skull of an extinct aquatic animal and the skull of a present-day gray whale. Further testing of the skulls suggests that the extinct animal is an ancestor of the gray whale. How do these skulls best support Darwin’s theory of evolution?
The skulls in the picture provide evidence that supports Darwin's theory of evolution in several ways:
1. Common Ancestry: The skulls suggest that the extinct aquatic animal and the present-day gray whale share a common ancestor. According to Darwin's theory, all species are connected through a lineage of common ancestors. The similarities seen in the skulls provide strong evidence for this shared ancestry.
2. Descent with Modification: Darwin proposed that species gradually change over time through the process of natural selection. The comparison of the skulls shows clear modifications that have occurred over generations. By examining the structure and morphology of both skulls, scientists can observe the modifications that have taken place in the transition from the extinct ancestor to the present-day gray whale.
3. Transitional Fossils: Transitional fossils are crucial in demonstrating evolutionary relationships. The extinct aquatic animal's skull can be considered a transitional fossil, displaying characteristics intermediate between its ancestors and the gray whale. This transitional skull provides a concrete link between the ancestral species and its descendant, which is consistent with Darwin's theory.
4. Predictive Power: Darwin's theory predicts that different species share commonalities due to their evolutionary relationships. In this case, the similarity between the skulls of the extinct animal and the gray whale was predicted based on the theory of common ancestry. The fact that further testing supports this prediction adds additional weight to Darwin's theory.
In summary, the comparison of the skulls supports Darwin's theory of evolution by providing evidence of common ancestry, descent with modification, the presence of transitional fossils, and the predictive power of evolutionary theory.