Question

Sea squirts and lampreys, which are both aquatic animals, have a perforated pharynx, a ventral

heart, and a notochord at some stage of development. These similarities are BEST explained by____

Answer 1

The similarities between sea squirts and lampreys, such as a perforated pharynx, a ventral heart, and a notochord at some stage of development, are best explained by their shared ancestry and common evolutionary origin.

Step-by-step explanation:

Shared Ancestry:

Sea squirts and lampreys belong to the subphylum Vertebrata, suggesting a common evolutionary lineage. These shared characteristics reflect their ancestry and evolutionary history. In the early stages of development, both organisms exhibit a perforated pharynx, a ventral heart, and a notochord.

Common Evolutionary Origin:

These similarities are indicative of traits inherited from a common ancestor. The perforated pharynx is associated with filter feeding, a characteristic found in sea squirts, while the notochord and ventral heart are features that link them within the chordate group.

Answer 2

Sea squirts and lampreys, which are both aquatic animals, have a perforated pharynx, a ventral heart, and a notochord at some stage of development. These similarities are best explained by their common ancestry and evolutionary history. Sea squirts and lampreys share a chordate lineage, indicating a shared evolutionary origin with a common developmental blueprint.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sea squirts (tunicates) and lampreys share common features in their development, including a perforated pharynx, a ventral heart, and a notochord at certain stages. These similarities are best explained by their common ancestry and evolutionary history. Both sea squirts and lampreys belong to the subphylum Urochordata (tunicates) and the subphylum Vertebrata (lampreys) within the phylum Chordata.

During their larval stages, both sea squirts and lampreys exhibit chordate characteristics, such as a notochord, which is a flexible rod providing skeletal support. The perforated pharynx is a feature related to filter feeding in their early stages. The ventral heart is a characteristic of chordates as well.

These shared traits suggest a common evolutionary origin, and the developmental similarities between these aquatic animals highlight their position in the broader chordate lineage. The presence of these features in different groups within Chordata reflects their shared ancestry and subsequent divergent evolution.