The document discusses fossil and living connecting links that exhibit characteristics of two adjacent taxonomic groups, highlighting examples like Ichthyostegia (fishes and amphibians), Archeopteryx (reptiles and birds), and the duck-billed platypus (reptiles and mammals). It emphasizes the evolutionary significance of these connections in understanding animal evolution and supports the theories of Herbert Spencer and Darwin. Additionally, it mentions other living connecting links such as Peripatus between annelida and arthropoda, and Balanoglossus between invertebrates and vertebrates.

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CONNECTING LINKS AND ITS
EVOLUTIONARY SIGNIFICANCE
By
DR.D.S. Rathod
DEPT. OF ZOOLOGY

2. CONNECTING LINKS
3
Fossil Connecting Links:
Fossil animals exhibitig characters of two
adjacent taxonomic groups are called fossil
connecting links.
There are various type of fossil connecting
links
Ichthyostegia ,Seymouria ,Archeopteryx
1.Ichthyostegia
1.Ichthyostegia
It is a connecting link between fishes and
amphibian.
It possess both pisces and amphibian
charecters.

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Fossil Connecting links
Piscean charecters
Autostylic jaws,Internal nares,lateral line system, Fin
rays in caudal fin.
Amphibian charecters
Well developed limbs and girdles (Pectoral , pelvic)

4. Archeopteryx :
It is fossil form
It is a connecting link between reptiles and birds.
It was a bird like animal.
It possess cherecters of reptiles and aves
charecters.
Reptile charecters:
Lizard like ,Jaw with homodent teeth ,solid
bones ,incoplete division ofheart.
Aves Charecters :
Presence of beak, Wings ,feathers and small cranium
Fossil connecting link:

6. Duck Bill Playtipus:
It is living connecting link
It is a connecting link between reptiles and
Mammals.
It possess charecters of reptiles and Mammals.
Mammal charecters:
They are definatly mammals because have
mammalian charecters , Mammary gland ,hair,
Diaphragam ,single aortic arches
Living connecting link:
Living animal exhibit charecter of two group is called
living connecting link

7. Duck Bill Platypus

8. Living connecting link:
Perpatus:
It is a connecting link between annelida and
Arthropoda.
Annelida charecters:
Annelida charecters:
Body is segmented and worm like
Arthropods charecters:
Arthropods charecters:
Jointed legs with claw and trachea is respiratory
organ

9. Living connecting link:
Balanoglossus:
It is a connecting link between invertebrates and
vertebrates.
Dipnoi is living connecting link between in fishes and
amphibians.
Evolutionary Significance
It help to understand evolution in the major group of
animals
It support the statement of Herbert spencer and Darwin

10. THANK YOU