Question

Palaeontological evidence in favour of organic evolution is beautifully illustrated by

• A. Duck billed Platypus
• B. Archaeopteryx
• C. Darwin's finches
• D. Peppered moth

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Archaeopteryx occurred Palaeozoic era during 180 million years ago. It is a dead connecting link between reptiles and birds and provides fossil proof of the organic evolution of birds from reptiles (dinosaurs). Duck-billed platypus is an egg-laying mammal that has mammary glands, hair, diaphragm but resembles reptiles in having large coracoid in pectoral girdle and production of amniotic eggs. It is a living animal endemic to eastern Australia. Darwin’s finches are the small black birds that are found only on Galapagos Islands and are closely related to the species on South American mainland. Different species of finches exhibited “adaptive radiation” owing to biogeographical isolation from the parent stock. Industrial melanism of peppered moth represents “natural selection” of dark coloured moth over the light coloured wild type owing to their survival and reproductive advantage.

So, the correct answer is 'Archaeopteryx'