Recent Evidence Suggests That Annelids Share Common Ancestry With

Question

Recent evidence suggests that annelids share common ancestry with
A)Mollusca.
B)Nematoda.
C)Chordata.
D)Echinodermata.
E)Kinorhyncha.

Accepted Answer

Recent molecular studies have shown that annelids (segmented worms) and mollusks share a common ancestor and form a clade called Lophotrochozoa. This evidence is based on the presence of a unique feeding structure called a lophophore in certain lophotrochozoans, including annelids and mollusks. While annelids share some characteristics with other phyla, such as the body plan of Nematoda, their closest known relatives are within Lophotrochozoa.