Which one of the following is not a living fossil?
- Peripatus
- King crab
- Sphenodon
- Archaeopteryx
Answer
(4) Archaeopteryx
Solution
Living fossils are present-day organisms that have remained almost unchanged for millions of years and resemble their fossil ancestors, e.g. Peripatus, king crab ( Limulus) and Sphenodon.
∵ Archaeopteryx is an extinct form known only from fossils (a connecting link between reptiles and birds) ⇒ it is not a living fossil.
Answer: (4)