Fossil evidence shows that ancient aquatic reptiles called ichthyosaurs looked very similar to modern dolphins However, ichthyosaurs and dolphins are not closely related animals. Which of the following statements best explains the similar appearance of ichthyosaurs and dolphins? point) Dolphins are eukaryotic organisms, and so were ichthyosaurs Dolphins reproduce using gametes, and so did ichthyosaurs Dolphins are adapted to the same types of environments that lived in
The similar appearance of ichthyosaurs and dolphins can be best explained by the last option: Dolphins are adapted to the same types of environments that ichthyosaurs lived in. This suggests that both ichthyosaurs and dolphins have undergone convergent evolution, where unrelated species develop similar traits in response to similar environmental pressures. In this case, both ichthyosaurs and dolphins evolved streamlined bodies, streamlined limbs, and a dorsal fin to help them swim efficiently in their aquatic environments.
