Question

dr. digger, a paleontologist, finds a fossil that he describes in his journal.
the creature was approximately 1 meter long, with its backbone fused into a large shell covering the body cavity.
it had a beaklike mouth, without teeth, and all four limbs were in the form of flippers.
based on anatomical similarities, to which modern animal is dr. digger’s creature most closely related?
○ zebra
○ bony fish
○ sea turtle
○ snake

Explanation:

To determine the related modern animal, analyze anatomical traits: the fossil has a backbone fused into a shell, a beak - like mouth without teeth, and flipper - like limbs.

• Zebra: Mammal with legs, teeth, no shell—does not match.
• Bony fish: Has fins, no shell or flippers like limbs—does not match.
• Sea turtle: Has a shell (with fused backbone), a beak - like mouth, and flipper - like limbs—matches the fossil's traits.
• Snake: No shell, no flippers, has teeth—does not match.

Answer:

C. sea turtle