the protostome developmental sequence arose just once in evolutionary history, resulting in two main subgroups–lophotrochozoa and ecdysozoa. what does this finding suggest?
LectureNotes said the protostome developmental sequence arose just once in evolutionary history, resulting in two main subgroups - lophotrochozoa and ecdysozoa. What does this finding suggest?
Answer: This finding suggests an essential aspect of the evolutionary history and relationship between different animal groups. The fact that the protostome developmental sequence, a crucial feature of embryonic development, is shared by the two main subgroups lophotrochozoa and ecdysozoa implies a common ancestry. It indicates that these two groups diverged from a common protostome ancestor. This shared developmental pathway provides evidence for the evolutionary relationships within the animal kingdom and helps scientists understand the complexity and diversity of life forms on Earth. The finding also supports the theory of common descent, which posits that all living organisms are descended from a common ancestor and have evolved over time through natural selection and genetic changes.