Question

what describes one way that the bat forelimb has evolved to be adapted for flight?
○ the phalanges are hollow, reduced, and aligned close together.
○ the phalanges are very long and are linked by a fibrous webbing.
○ the phalanges are fused together to form a single digit.
○ the phalanges have been lost, and the forelimb ends at the metacarpals.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze bat forelimb adaptations for flight:

• Option 1: Bat phalanges are not hollow/reduced/closely aligned (this describes bird adaptations).
• Option 2: Bat phalanges are elongated and connected by fibrous webbing (forming the wing membrane), which is key for flight.
• Option 3: Phalanges are not fused into a single digit.
• Option 4: Phalanges are not lost; they are modified for flight.

Answer:

B. The phalanges are very long and are linked by a fibrous webbing.