Transitional fossil

Transitional fossils are crucial evidence in understanding evolutionary biology. They are remains of organisms that exhibit traits common to both an ancestral group and its descendants, effectively bridging the gap between two distinct species or groups. For example, fossils of early whales show adaptations for life in water while retaining some characteristics of land mammals. These fossils help scientists trace the gradual changes that occurred over time, illustrating how species evolve and adapt to their environments. They support the theory of evolution by demonstrating a timeline of development and the connections between different forms of life.