Q.Which of the following is an example for link species?
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →A link species is an organism that shows characteristics of two different groups, providing evidence of evolutionary transition — lobe fish is the correct example among the options given.
The concept of a link species (also called a transitional form or missing link) is central to understanding how evolution works. When we study the history of life, we often find organisms that possess features belonging to two distinct groups — for instance, a creature that has both fish-like and amphibian-like traits. Such organisms are called link species because they "link" one major group to another, showing us the gradual steps by which one form evolved into another.
The NCERT textbook discusses this idea in the context of evolution and the evidence that supports it. It specifically mentions that certain fossil organisms serve as connecting links between different classes of vertebrates. These are not mythical creatures but real species that lived in the past, whose fossils have been discovered and studied.
Now, let us examine each option:
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Lobe fish — These are fish with fleshy, lobed fins that contain bones homologous to the limbs of land vertebrates. The NCERT explicitly states that lobe-finned fish are considered the ancestors of amphibians. They are a classic example of a link species because they bridge the gap between fish (fully aquatic) and the first amphibians (which could move on land). Their fins have a skeletal structure that resembles the limb bones of early tetrapods.
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Dodo bird — This was a flightless bird that lived on the island of Mauritius. It became extinct in the 17th century. While it is a famous example of extinction caused by human activity, it is not a link species. It does not show transitional features between two major groups — it is simply a bird that lost the ability to fly. …
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