Passage II The evolutionary origin of the class Aves, or modern-day birds, is still under debate.

Two scientists discuss whether birds are descendants of dinosaurs or other reptiles. Scientist 1 Modern-day birds evolved from dinosaur ancestors. Skeletal structures of dinosaurs and birds share many similarities. Recent fossil findings show that certain dinosaurs and birds both have fused bones in the chest, known as the furcula, or wishbone, which is not present in other animals. These dinosaurs, known as theropods, and birds also share a common foot structure, and the presence of a small bone at the ankle known as the astralagus. Furthermore, the discovery of several fossils, such as Archaeopteryx in Germany and the Sinosauropteryx in China show an outer covering that resembles feathers or stiff, hair-like proto-feathers. These skeletons are difficult to classify definitively as dinosaurs or birds, indicating an evolutionary relationship between the two groups. Scientist 2 Birds evolved from an early family of reptiles which are likely to include the fossil findings of Protoavis and Archaeopteryx. These reptiles would have been arboreal (living in trees), because most ancestors of flying species are arboreal. Skeletal studies of primitive bird fossils also reveal that the structure of the rib cage and the respiratory apparatus of birds is significantly different from modern reptiles, which may indicate a much earlier divergence of evolutionary paths, before the presence of dinosaurs. In fact, radiocarbon dating of fossils reveals problems for current theories regarding the evolutionary pathway of birds. Many proposed ancestors occur too late in the fossil records to be reasonably related to modern-day birds. Passage II Questions 1._____ Which of the following is NOT a piece of evidence presented by Scientist 1? a. b. c. d. Fossils found in China and Germany that appear to have primitive feathers. Certain dinosaurs had fused bones in their chest, just like modern birds. Radiocarbon dating indicating the time at which species of dinosaurs and birds existed. Theropods and birds have similar bones in their ankles.

2._____ According to the evidence presented by Scientist 2, which of the following statements is most consistent with his hypothesis? a. b. c. d. Birds could not have descended from dinosaurs because dinosaurs did not have feathers. Birds did not evolve from dinosaurs because dinosaurs were not arboreal. Birds did not evolve from dinosaurs because their skeletal structures are very similar. Birds are not descendants of dinosaurs because proposed ancestors of birds occur too late in the fossil record to be related to modern-day birds.

3._____ Which of the following statements is a strength of Scientist 1s argument? a. b. c. d. dinosaur fossils with wings. fossil remains of dinosaurs with feathers. radiocarbon dating of fossils. NONE OF THE ABOVE

4._____ A new fossil Dinosauryx was discovered with a furcula and feathers. This discovery would most likely support which Scientist? a. b. c. d. Scientist 1 Scientist 2 both Scientists Neither

5._____ What is a weakness in Scientist 2s theory? a. b. The discovery of dinosaur fossils with feathers. The presence of a furcula in some species of dinosaurs. c. He does not explain how the rib cage of birds is different to modern reptiles. d. Radiocarbon dating is very inaccurate.