Firstly and most importantly it is the fact that the anatomies of all life follow a pattern of nested hierarchies. More recognisably, we often find atavistic structures that have diminished function in modern lifeforms, but not in sister clades or in more basal (and possibly extinct) lifeforms.
Slight anatomical changes over significant amounts of time resulting in new species and adaptations is precisely what evolution is. Having a knowledge of certain anatomies allows for comparison. Take orangutan anatomy for example. It is extremely similar to human anatomy, but there are certain differences that tell us that humans are not descendants from orangutans. Also, the fossil record on which evolution evidence is so well based, relies largely on classifying anatomical characteristics.
Anatomy is a useful tool in gaining evidence for evolution. The most useful thing is to examine homologous structures, ie anatomical similarities between different species. The best example of this is the pentadactyl limb. It is found in humans, dolphins and bats. This shows that at some point in the past there must have been a common ancestor from which these 3 diverse groups of animals evolved.
Because of the morphological homologies they display with similar structures in other extant and extinct lifeforms, following, like virtually every other morphological or anatomical feature of life, the nested hierarchies of biology.
Homologous structures - the forelimb structures are anatomically similar and were derived from a common ancestor; however, they have evolved completely different uses. This provides evidence for divergent evolution or adaptive radiation.
Morphological evidence.Genetic and genomic evidence.Geographical evidence.
In evolution the study of vertebrate forelimbs is related to the anatomical evidence from homology.
biochemical evidence anatomical evidence fossils vestigial structure embryological evidence
In evolution the study of vertebrate forelimbs is related to the anatomical evidence from homology.
Accept fossil evidence, anatomical evidence, molecular evidence
Anatomical Evidence
Slight anatomical changes over significant amounts of time resulting in new species and adaptations is precisely what evolution is. Having a knowledge of certain anatomies allows for comparison. Take orangutan anatomy for example. It is extremely similar to human anatomy, but there are certain differences that tell us that humans are not descendants from orangutans. Also, the fossil record on which evolution evidence is so well based, relies largely on classifying anatomical characteristics.
It does hint at common ancestry so it is "evidence" of evolution.
Anatomy is a useful tool in gaining evidence for evolution. The most useful thing is to examine homologous structures, ie anatomical similarities between different species. The best example of this is the pentadactyl limb. It is found in humans, dolphins and bats. This shows that at some point in the past there must have been a common ancestor from which these 3 diverse groups of animals evolved.
Because of the morphological homologies they display with similar structures in other extant and extinct lifeforms, following, like virtually every other morphological or anatomical feature of life, the nested hierarchies of biology.
Evolution
how does adaptations give evidence for evolution?
Homologous structures - the forelimb structures are anatomically similar and were derived from a common ancestor; however, they have evolved completely different uses. This provides evidence for divergent evolution or adaptive radiation.