You find what you believe is a new species of animal. Which of the following characteristics would enable you to argue that it is more closely related to a flatworm than it is to a roundworm?
A) It is a suspension feeder.
B) It has no coelom.
C) It is shaped like a worm.
D) It has a mouth and an anus.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of a coelom is a key anatomical feature that distinguishes flatworms from roundworms. Flatworms lack a coelom, which is a body cavity present in more advanced animals, while roundworms have a pseudocoelom. Therefore, if the newly discovered animal lacks a coelom, it is more likely to be closely related to a flatworm than a roundworm. The other characteristics (A, C, and D) do not provide enough information to distinguish between flatworms and roundworms.

You Find What You Believe Is a New Species of Animal