Question

Scientists observed some fossils of the early ancestors of camels. Using the fossils they obtained, they prepared a phylogeny chart for camels. Based on this chart, what can you conclude about the relationship between modern camels (Camelus) and Aepycamelus? Phylogeny chart of camels fossils. Column 1, Eocene. Column 2, Oligocene. Column 3, Miocene with sub-columns Lower, Upper. Column 4, Pliocene. Column 5, Pleistocene. Aepycamelus (Giraffe-camel) under Miocene column Upper. Camelus under Pleistocene. A. Modern camels share an evolutionary relationship with Aepycamelus, but they didn’t directly evolve from them. B. Aepycamelus don’t share any evolutionary relationship with modern camels. C. Aepycamelus are modern camels’ closest extinct relatives. D. Aepycamelus are modern camels’ closest living descendants.

Answer 1

Answer: C. Aepycamelus are modern camels' closest extinct relatives.

The chart suggests that Aepycamelus and modern camels (Camelus) share a common ancestor in the Miocene period, specifically in the Upper Miocene. This indicates a close evolutionary relationship between them, but Aepycamelus is extinct and not a direct ancestor of modern camels.