Which of the following developmental features provides strong evidence of a close evolutionary relationship between the phyla Annelida and Mollusca?
- The presence of a trochophore larval stage during early developmentCevap
- BThe presence of jointed appendages and a chitinous exoskeleton
- CThe excretion of metabolic waste solely through Malpighian tubules
- DThe development of a water vascular system for locomotion
Cevap
The presence of a trochophore larval stage during early development
Both Annelida and Mollusca exhibit a trochophore larva during their embryonic development. This shared larval stage is a key ancestral characteristic demonstrating evolutionary affinity between these two higher invertebrate phyla.
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Anahtar Kavram
Evolutionary relationships and developmental stages in higher invertebrates