Learn on PengiAmplify Science (California) Grade 8Chapter 3: Identifying Related Species

Lesson 3: Classifying the Mystery Fossil

Key Idea.

Section 1

Solving the Mystery

Key Idea

We can finally classify the Maiacetus fossil.

Although it has legs like a wolf, its skeleton tells a different story. It possesses the unique "involucrum" (a thick ear bone). This structure is diagnostic—it is found only in whales.

Section 2

The Transitional Form

Key Idea

The evidence tells a clear evolutionary story:

  1. Shared Structure: The ear bone proves it belongs to the whale lineage.
  2. Different Feature: The legs prove it lived early in history, before whales lost their limbs.

Book overview

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Chapter 3: Identifying Related Species

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Evolutionary Trees

  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Diagnostic Structures

  3. Lesson 3Current

    Lesson 3: Classifying the Mystery Fossil

Lesson overview

Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.

Expand

Section 1

Solving the Mystery

Key Idea

We can finally classify the Maiacetus fossil.

Although it has legs like a wolf, its skeleton tells a different story. It possesses the unique "involucrum" (a thick ear bone). This structure is diagnostic—it is found only in whales.

Section 2

The Transitional Form

Key Idea

The evidence tells a clear evolutionary story:

  1. Shared Structure: The ear bone proves it belongs to the whale lineage.
  2. Different Feature: The legs prove it lived early in history, before whales lost their limbs.

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 3: Identifying Related Species

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: Evolutionary Trees

  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Diagnostic Structures

  3. Lesson 3Current

    Lesson 3: Classifying the Mystery Fossil