Chapter 13, Problem 1TQ

Summary Introduction

The term ‘Archaeopteryx’ means “old wing”. It refers to the first bird or original bird. It appeared as a bird-like dinosaur. Therefore, it was considered as a transitional fossil amid the reptiles and the fowls. Archaeopteryx more closely resembled the dinosaur than the modern birds according to Xu. For this reason, Xu, a Chinese paleontologist grouped the Archaeopteryx into a different clade.

Answer to Problem 1TQ

Archaeopteryx was an ancient ancestor of bird from the era of dinosaur so it serves as an example of the early evolution of birds.

Therefore, option (e) is correct. 

Explanation of Solution

Justify the reasons for the correct statement:

Archaeopteryx was shown as the ‘original bird’ or an early bird that is fragmented off from the deinonychosaurs. This is because Archaeopteryx’s fossil showed feathers that resembled birds. It was a birdlike dinosaur that is carnivorous. Therefore, it serves as an example of the evolution of birds.

Option (e) is given as, “is an example of the evolution of birds”.

Hence, the option (e) is correct.

Justify the reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option (a) is given as, “belongs to the domain Prokarya”. 

Archaeopteryx does not belong to the domain Prokarya. It belongs to the domain Eukarya. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (b) is given as, “belongs to the kingdom Protista”. 

Archaeopteryx does not belong to the kingdom Protista. It is not a simple eukaryotic organism, as it had a complex structure. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (c) is given as, “lived during the Precambrian period”. 

Archaeopteryx lived during the Jurassic period and not during the Precambrian period. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (d) is given as, “was much larger than the modern birds”. 

Archaeopteryx was not much larger than the modern birds. They appeared approximately the size of the raven. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options (a), (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect.

Conclusion

Archaeopteryx was classified under the avian clade. It was a small, feathered bird-like theropod. For this reason, it serves as an example of the evolution of birds.