MISSION 3 — One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Lungfish
For a long time, scientists though that coelacanths were the closest living relatives to amphibians. Coelacanths have big fleshy fins and hinged jaws, two traits they share with fossils of ancestral amphibians. When they went to analyze the DNA, however, they got a surprise. Take a look at the data yourself and see what you come up with.
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Does the DNA support the hypothesis that the coelacanth is the closest living relative to amphibians, such as frogs? If it does, explain how. If it does not, provide an alternative hypothesis suggested by the DNA data.
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9. Which do you consider more convincing evidence, DNA or physical features? Why?
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10. Click the button below to answer question 10. Remember to refer to your completed tree and the species comparison tab if you are not sure of your answer.
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