Question

Most frog species have a distinct tadpole life stage. However, microhylid frogs of Australia and New Guinea do not have a free-swimming tadpole stage. The tadpole forms inside the egg, completes metamorphosis, and hatches from the egg. This would be an example of a(n) Multiple Choice

O anatomical homology.
O developmental analogy.
O molecular homology.
O anatomical analogy.

Answer 1

The development of some microhylid frog species from egg to juvenile without a free-swimming tadpole stage is an example of anatomical analogy, which is a result of convergent evolution reflecting functional similarity, not shared ancestry.

Step-by-step explanation:

The distinct embryonic development that occurs within some Australian and New Guinean microhylid frogs, where the metamorphosis takes place entirely within the egg and young frogs emerge fully formed, constitutes an example of anatomical analogy. This reproductive strategy demonstrates how different species can evolve similar solutions to the challenges of development and survival despite not being closely related, thus it does not reflect common ancestry or structure (homology) but rather a functional similarity due to convergent evolution.

An anatomical homology is a trait inherited from a common ancestor, while a molecular homology refers to similarities in DNA sequences that indicate shared evolutionary past. A developmental analogy, often termed as a developmental homoplasy, is an example of convergent evolution where species evolve similar developmental paths or features independently, not because of a shared ancestor but due to similar selective pressures.