Question

Peripatus is the connecting link between
(a) Molluscs and arthropods
(b) Reptiles and mammals
(c) Annelids and arthropods
(d) Annelids and helminths

Answer 1

Hint: It has jointed paired legs, compound eyes, tracheas, and also worm-like segmented body, non-chitinous cuticle, and segmental nephridia.

Complete answer:
Peripatus is considered as a connecting link between the phyla Annelida and Arthropoda because it has a segmented body, thin cuticle, and parapodia-like organs jointed paired legs, compound eyes, and tracheas are present in arthropods and also it possesses a worm-like segmented body, non-chitinous cuticle and segmental nephridia like other annelids. Diagram of a peripatus has been given below -

Additional Information:
In biology, connecting links can be defined as an organism that has characteristics of two different taxonomic groups of organisms. There are many organisms which are called as connecting links, some of them have been listed below –
Proterospongia – It is the connecting link between Protozoa and Porifera.
Duck-billed platypus – it is considered as the connecting link between Reptiles and Mammals.
Neopilina – it is regarded as a connecting link between Annelida and Mollusca.
Archaeopteryx – it serves as a connecting link between reptiles and birds.

So, the correct answer is “Annelids and arthropods”.

Note:
-Just like other mammals, the duck-billed platypus has mammary glands and diaphragm. Besides these mammalian features, it also has some reptilian characters such as egg-laying.
-Proterospongia is colonial like other protozoans and also it has collar cells similar to the sponges or poriferans.
-Archaeopteryx has feathers and beaks just like the other birds and besides these features, it also has a long tail, jaws full of teeth, and claws in forefingers just like reptiles.