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Multiple Choice
Which group of vertebrates were the first to successfully invade land?
A
Amphibians
B
Mammals
C
Birds
D
Reptiles
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of vertebrate evolution and the transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments. Vertebrates are animals with a backbone, and their ability to invade land required adaptations to survive outside of water.
Recognize that the first vertebrates to invade land needed specific adaptations, such as lungs for breathing air, limbs for movement on land, and skin that could tolerate terrestrial conditions.
Recall that amphibians were the first group of vertebrates to successfully invade land. They evolved from lobe-finned fish and developed lungs and limbs, allowing them to live in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. However, they still rely on water for reproduction and skin moisture.
Compare amphibians to other vertebrate groups mentioned in the problem: mammals, birds, and reptiles. These groups evolved later and have adaptations that allow them to be fully terrestrial, such as amniotic eggs (in reptiles, birds, and some mammals) and waterproof skin or feathers.
Conclude that amphibians were the first vertebrates to successfully invade land, marking a significant evolutionary milestone in the history of life on Earth.