Question

select the correct answer.

ostriches dont use their wings for flight, but they do use them for other functions, such as mating rituals and balance. many ancestors of ostriches did fly. what can you conclude about ostrich behavior from this information?

ostriches inherited the genes for wings from their ancestors, even though the function of these structures changed.
ostriches developed mutations in their wings to willfully adapt to their current environment.
ostriches lack a close evolutionary relationship with these ancestral birds.
in the near future, ostriches will have no wings because they have no need for them.

Explanation:

Analizar la información proporcionada

Using the Concept of Evolution and Vestigial Structures knowledge points

$$ \text{Ancestro volador} \implies \text{Presencia de alas funcionales para el vuelo} $$

$$ \text{Avestruz actual} \implies \text{Alas no usadas para volar, sino para cortejo y equilibrio} $$

Evaluar las opciones de respuesta

• Opción 1: Las avestruces heredaron los genes de las alas de sus ancestros, aunque la función de estas estructuras cambió. Esto es consistente con la selección natural y la presencia de estructuras vestigiales o modificadas.
• Opción 2: Las mutaciones no ocurren de manera "voluntaria" o intencionada para adaptarse al medio. La evolución no es finalista ni dirigida por el deseo del organismo.
• Opción 3: La presencia de alas homólogas demuestra que sí existe una relación evolutiva cercana con las aves ancestrales.
• Opción 4: La evolución no predice la pérdida absoluta de una estructura simplemente por "no necesitarla" si esta sigue aportando otras funciones (como el equilibrio o el cortejo).

Answer:

• (A) Ostriches inherited the genes for wings from their ancestors, even though the function of these structures changed. (Correct answer)
• (B) Ostriches developed mutations in their wings to willfully adapt to their current environment.
• (C) Ostriches lack a close evolutionary relationship with these ancestral birds.
• (D) In the near future, ostriches will have no wings because they have no need for them.