Both snakes and whales lack functional rear limbs but have vestigial rear limb parts. Briefly explain how this fact to be considered either a homologous trait and an analogous trait.

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Accepted Answer

∻Answer∻ ⚹ The fact that both snakes and whales lack functional rear limbs but have vestigial rear limb parts is considered a homologous trait. ⚹ ∻Solution∻ ‖ a ⋮ Common Ancestry: Snakes and whales share a common tetrapod ancestor that had fully functional limbs. ‖ ‖ b ⋮ Vestigial Structures: The presence of vestigial rear limb parts in both snakes and whales indicates that these structures were inherited from their common ancestors. ‖ ‖ c ⋮ Evolutionary Process: The loss of function in the rear limbs in both snakes and whales is due to different evolutionary pressures, but the origin of the limbs is the same. ‖ ∻Key Concept∻ ⚹ Homologous traits are characteristics shared by species due to common ancestry. ⚹ ∻Explanation∻ ⚹ Snakes and whales have vestigial rear limbs due to their descent from a common ancestor with functional limbs, making this a homologous trait despite their different evolutionary paths. ⚹◊How do homologous traits differ from analogous traits in terms of evolutionary relationships?⍭ Generate me a similar question◊

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