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The pentadactyl limb

Natural selection and genetic modification · Evidence for evolution and classification · note 3 of 4

The pentadactyl limbSpec 4.6B

The pentadactyl limb is a limb with five digits. The same basic pattern of bones is found in the limbs of many vertebrates, including humans, bats, whales and frogs.

Although these limbs do different jobs (grasping, flying, swimming, jumping), they have the same basic arrangement of bones: one upper bone, two lower bones, then wrist, hand and finger bones. The size and shape of the bones differ to suit each function.

This provides evidence for evolution. The similar bone structure suggests the animals share a common ancestor, and natural selection has adapted the limb to different ways of life over time. If each animal had evolved separately, there would be no reason for the same bone pattern.

Human arm, bat wing and whale flipper drawn side by side with matching bones in the same colour: upper arm bone (humerus), two lower bones (radius and ulna), wrist bones, hand bones and finger bones.Tap to enlarge
Same basic arrangement of bones, different shapes for grasping, flying and swimming: evidence of a common ancestor.