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How are scientists able to explain vestigial structures found in whales and some snakes?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
These vestigial structure, hip bones and leg bones, attest to the land dwelling ancestor of whales and the leg bearing ancestor of snakes. The inference is rather simple in whales. How else could a water swimming animal posses vestigial legs.
For light amusement read some of the creationist non explanations for these vestigial markers.
talkorigins.org
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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Why are vestigal structures considered critical evidence of evolution?
Many species have vestigial structures, especially in the animal kingdom. Two good examples are the vestigial legs in whales and some snakes. This is clear evidence that whales and snakes are descended from creatures that had functional legs. This is strong evidence of evolution, since there is no other plausible explanation, religious or scientific, for vestigial structures.
Why is the pelvic girdle in snake is a vestigial?
because snakes can mate better
The tiny hip bones and leg bones present in some snakes are an example of?
Vestigial structures. Over time, the reptiles snakes descended from gradually began to use their legs less and less and so the limbs disappeared. The hip and leg bones present are essentially useless to the snake and are "left over" from their evolution. That is what a vestigial structure is (e.g. appendix in humans is also vestigal; we don't use it).
How did scientists developed snakes?
They didn't snakes were around before scientists
Do snakes have a femur?
Yes. But it is a vestigial structure, meaning the ancestors needed them, but they are useless to the current creature.
What are the nonfunctional structures of tiny pelvic girdles and legs bones within the bodies of boa contrictors?
These are the remnants of the arms and legs that the ancestors of snakes had. Over time the limbs evolved to be smaller and smaller, until now the limbs are not visible externally but can be see as vestigial bones on a radiograph.
Whales snakes and dolphins all have vestigial bones that indicate they once had hind limbs Living whales snakes and dolphins do not have hind limbs This is an ex?
There is no answer for this question because it does not make any sense.
How can you see a snakes legs?
Yes, the vestigial hind legs of boas and pythons show up as spurs on either side of the vent.
What type of structures are Whales and snakes?
Whales and snakes are both types of organisms that do not have legs. They are legless structures. The body plan is mainly cylindrical. That is also true of worms.
What is the term for structures like hip bones in snakes?
The hip bones in snakes (and in humans) are called the pelvis.
What are 2 limbs that are vestigal and why?
There are vestiges of leg bones and pelvises in cetaceans and snakes. The wings of ostriches and other flightless birds are also vestigial. These limbs are vestigial because although they are homologous to the legs and wings of other creatures, they have little or none of their function.
How is a human skeleton the same as a snake skeleton?
Both humans and snakes have an exoskeleton made of bone and some cartilage. Both poses a skull, a jaw, vertebrae, and ribs. Some snakes also have a vestigial pelvis.
