Question:
Which of the following is a living fossil in Reptiles?
Which of the following is a living fossil in Reptiles?
Show Hint
Living fossils retain primitive features; Sphenodon is the only extant reptile representing early diapsid reptiles.
Updated On: Jun 19, 2026
- Archeopteryx
- Limulus
- Sphenodon
- Dinosaur
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Definition of living fossil.
- A living fossil is an extant species that closely resembles species known only from the fossil record and has changed little over geological time.
Step 2: Sphenodon characteristics.
- Sphenodon (Tuatara) is a reptile from New Zealand.
- Morphologically very similar to its Mesozoic ancestors.
- Its physiology and structure remain largely unchanged.
Step 3: Comparison with other options.
- Archeopteryx: extinct fossil, early bird.
- Limulus: horseshoe crab, an arthropod, not a reptile.
- Dinosaur: mostly extinct.
Step 4: Evolutionary significance.
- Sphenodon provides insight into reptilian evolution and adaptation.
- Often used as a model for studying primitive reptilian features.
Step 5: Conclusion.
Hence, the living fossil among reptiles is Sphenodon.
- A living fossil is an extant species that closely resembles species known only from the fossil record and has changed little over geological time.
Step 2: Sphenodon characteristics.
- Sphenodon (Tuatara) is a reptile from New Zealand.
- Morphologically very similar to its Mesozoic ancestors.
- Its physiology and structure remain largely unchanged.
Step 3: Comparison with other options.
- Archeopteryx: extinct fossil, early bird.
- Limulus: horseshoe crab, an arthropod, not a reptile.
- Dinosaur: mostly extinct.
Step 4: Evolutionary significance.
- Sphenodon provides insight into reptilian evolution and adaptation.
- Often used as a model for studying primitive reptilian features.
Step 5: Conclusion.
Hence, the living fossil among reptiles is Sphenodon.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top AP EAPCET Biology Questions
- In which group of algae are food materials stored in pyrenoids?
- Which plant hormone is responsible for apical dominance?
- The genetic material in bacteriophages is:
- Which of the following is the structural and functional unit of the kidney?
- Which of the following organisms exhibits alternation of generations?
View More Questions
Top AP EAPCET Classification of animals Questions
- Identify the wrong statement regarding ICBN:
- The branch of botany which helps in understanding the course of evolution in plants is:
- Following is not a common feature in both ferns and Gymnosperms:
- Some plants of the following family have swollen leaf base:
- Choose the incorrect statement:
View More Questions
Top AP EAPCET Questions
- A body is projected from the ground at an angle of $\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{8}{7}\right)$ with the horizontal. The ratio of the maximum height attained by it to its range is
- The four quantum numbers of the valence electron of potassium are :
- A lens forms real and virtual images of an object, when the object is at $u_{1}$ and $u_{2}$ distances respectively. If the size of the virtual image is double that of the real image, then the focal length of the lens is (take, the magnification of the real image as $m$ )
- Two spheres $P$ and $Q$, each of mass $200\, g$ are attached to a string of length one metre as shown in the figure. The string and the spheres are then whirled in a horizontal circle about $O$ at a constant angular speed. The ratio of the tension in the string between $P$ and $Q$ to that of between $P$ and $O$ is $(P$ is at mid-point of the line joining $O$ and $Q$ )
- The volume of $0.02\, M$ acidified permanganate solution required for complete reaction of $60\, mL$ of $0.01\, MI^{-}$ ion solution to form $I_2$ in $mL$ is
View More Questions