Question

Cycadophyta is a group of plants with a small number of extant species, that is nevertheless well known from fossils from the Mesozoic era. Living "cycads" are nearly identical to fossils. What best explains these "living fossils"?

A. Biological homology
B. Punctuated equilibria
C. Phylogenetic niche conservatism
D. Passive trends
E. Hopeful monsters

Answer 1

C. Phylogenetic niche conservatism

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the information provided within the question it can be said that the term that best explains these "living fossils" is Phylogenetic niche conservatism. This refers to the tendency that a specific species has for retaining certain traits from the ancestors. Which explains why the living "cycads" are nearly identical to fossils.