Classification and Diversity
Classification and Diversity
Classification and Diversity
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How would you classify<br />
this organism?<br />
Pangolins, native to Africa <strong>and</strong> Asia, are<br />
not closely related to any other living<br />
mammals. Their backs <strong>and</strong> tails are covered<br />
with large scales similar in arrangement<br />
to dinosaur bone plates. Pangolins do<br />
not have teeth. Instead, they have an organ<br />
similar to a bird’s gizzard. Due to these<br />
unique traits, pangolins are classified into<br />
their own group within class Mammalia.<br />
Connecting<br />
CONCEPTS<br />
Evolution The pangolin’s long<br />
snout <strong>and</strong> tongue, sharp claws<br />
for digging, <strong>and</strong> the absence<br />
of teeth are all adaptations to<br />
an ant-eating lifestyle.<br />
Anteaters <strong>and</strong> aardvarks have<br />
similar traits. However, these<br />
animals are not closely<br />
related. Instead, pangolins,<br />
anteaters, <strong>and</strong> aardvarks<br />
display convergent evolution.<br />
Their similar characteristics<br />
arose independently as<br />
natural selection acted upon<br />
species with similar diets.<br />
Chapter 17: The Tree of Life 517
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