Question:
Does the occurrence of diversity of animals on earth suggest their diverse ancestry also ? Discuss this point in the light of evolution.
Solution:
Diversity of animals does not mean that they have diverse ancestry. Animals can be grouped into distinct lineages (e.g., mammals, birds, reptiles,
annelids). Many of the lineages further show some similarities in basic traits indicating a common ancestry, e.g.,
vertebrates. Therefore, animals having a common ancestor in the remote past have successively developed newer and newer traits forming
various groups of animals.