Most frog species have a distinct tadpole life stage. However, microhylids of Australia and New Guinea do not have a tadpole stage, but tadpole features appear and disappear during development in the eggs. This shows that
A) microhylids need to be very large.
B) microhylids evolved from an ancestor with a tadpole stage.
C)microhylids are more closely related to mammals than they are to frogs.
D)microhylids are an ancestor of modern frogs.
I'm not sure what could the answer be to that, I'm sure is not D though, I beleive is C.
To find the answer to this question, we need to analyze the information given and eliminate options based on the evidence provided.
The passage states that microhylids of Australia and New Guinea do not have a tadpole stage, but tadpole features appear and disappear during development in the eggs. This suggests that microhylids might have evolved from an ancestor with a tadpole stage.
Let's go through the answer options and eliminate them one by one based on the information given:
A) The fact that microhylids do not have a tadpole stage does not imply that they need to be very large. This option can be eliminated.
B) This option aligns with the information provided, which suggests that microhylids evolved from an ancestor with a tadpole stage. It is a possible answer.
C) There is no evidence provided to support the claim that microhylids are more closely related to mammals than they are to frogs. This option can be eliminated.
D) The passage does not provide any information indicating that microhylids are an ancestor of modern frogs. This option can also be eliminated.
Based on the given information, option B (microhylids evolved from an ancestor with a tadpole stage) is the most likely answer.