Question

Archaeopteryx is a transitional fossil between

• A. birds and mammals
• B. mammals and reptiles
• C. reptiles and birds
• D. reptiles and amphibians

Answer 1

The correct option is C reptiles and birds

Organisms (fossils) showing intermediate characteristics between ancestral forms and their corresponding descendants are known as transitional fossils.

Archaeopteryx is considered to be the transitional species between reptiles and birds. This is due to the fact that it was found to exhibit the features of both these classes. The reptilian characters included the presence of jaws with teeth and free caudal vertebrae while the avian characters included the presence of wings and feathers.