The number and location of bones of many fossil vertebrates are similar to those in living vertebrates. This is evidence in support of which of the following concepts?
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The similarity in the number and location of bones of fossil vertebrates when compared to those in living vertebrates is evidence supporting the concept of common ancestry within the evolutionary framework. According to the theory of evolution, all living organisms have descended from a common ancestor through a gradual process of change and diversification over long periods of time. This concept is also known as descent with modification. The similar skeletal structures suggest that organisms with such features are related to each other and have evolved from common ancestors, leading to what is called homologous structures. These structures may serve different purposes in different organisms but have a similar underlying anatomy, reflecting a shared evolutionary history.