Which of the following is an incorrect statement ?

Options

A. Darwin finches show convergent evolution .
B. Home erectus evolved earlier than Homo sapiens .
C. Home sapiens appeared in African grassland
D. Archaeopteryx is connecting link between the birds and reptiles .

Answer

To determine which statement is incorrect, we will analyze each of the four statements provided:

1. **Statement 1**: "Darwin's finches show convergent evolution."
- **Analysis**: Darwin's finches are a group of species that evolved from a common ancestor and adapted to different ecological niches on the Galapagos Islands. This is an example of **adaptive radiation**, which is a form of **divergent evolution**, not convergent evolution. Therefore, this statement is **incorrect**.

2. **Statement 2**: "Homo erectus evolved earlier than Homo sapiens."
- **Analysis**: Homo erectus is indeed an earlier hominin species that existed before Homo sapiens. Fossil evidence supports that Homo erectus lived approximately 1.9 million years ago, while Homo sapiens appeared around 300,000 years ago. This statement is **correct**.

3. **Statement 3**: "Homo sapiens appeared in African grassland."
- **Analysis**: The earliest Homo sapiens are believed to have originated in Africa, and while they inhabited various environments, including grasslands, this statement is generally accepted as **correct**.

4. **Statement 4**: "Archaeopteryx is a connecting link between birds and reptiles."
- **Analysis**: Archaeopteryx is widely recognized as a transitional fossil that exhibits characteristics of both birds and reptiles. It is often cited as a key example of evolution from reptiles to birds, making this statement **correct**.

**Conclusion**: The incorrect statement is **Statement 1**: "Darwin's finches show convergent evolution."