Question

A connecting link between two phyla is
A) Archaeopteryx – Aves and Mammalia
B) Amphioxus- Echinodermata and Chordata
C) Peripatus- Annelida and Arthropoda
D) Ornithorhynchus- Aves and reptilia

Answer 1

Hint:-Some species share the characteristics of two different types of groups. These organisms are known as connecting links between the two groups. Since the organism bears the character of both the groups it can be placed in either of the groups according to the convenience.

Complete Answer:-
Ornithorhynchus is a connecting link between mammals and reptilians. The species represented by it is the duck-billed platypus. It can produce and secrete its own milk to feed its young ones like other mammals. But it lays eggs like the reptiles. Archaeopteryx Is a type of Dinosaur which can fly like birds. Thus it is a connecting link between the reptiles and the birds.
Amphioxus is a connecting link between the Vertebrata and non-Vertebrata. Peripatus refers to velvet worms. They belong to the phylum Onychophora. They are the connecting link between Annelida and Arthropoda. Annelida is the group of segmented worms and arthropods are organisms with 6-8 legs like crabs, spiders and insects. Like the arthropods, it has joined paired appendages. And like the annelids, peripatus has a war body which is divided into segments. So it forms the connecting link between the two.
Thus, the right option is C.

Note:- The connecting link should not be confused with the missing links. Missing links are part of the evolution process. Missing links are different from connecting links as they are extinct organisms between two groups that existed before and after it during the evolution process. Peripatus is found In the regions of Central America and the Caribbean.