Question

Recapitulation theory is explained by all statements except

• A. Retrogressive evolution in Herdmania
• B. Development of frog from a tailed tadpole
• C. Presence of flagellated sperms in Ginkgo
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Development of frog from a tailed tadpole

Recapitulation theory, also known as Biogenetic law, was given by Ernst Haeckel which states 'Ontogeny recapitulates Phylogeny'. This means that embryo during its development, goes through the evolutionary stages of its ancestors.

• The larva of Herdmania shows retrogressive metamorphosis in which the larva looses the characters of chordates and attains the form of a invertebrate.
• The tadpole larva of Frog shows fish like characters like gills, gill slits and lateral line organs. This indicates that amphibians evolved from fish like ancestors.
• Gingko is a primitive gymnosperm. Presence of flagellated sperms in Gingko like in Pteridophytes suggest that gymnosperms have evolved from Pteridophytes.

Hence, statement B can not be explain Recapitulation theory.

So, the correct answer is 'Development of frog from a tailed tadpole'.