As previously stated, a succession of transitional fossils exists that link reptiles (Class Reptilia) and mammals (Class Mammalia). These particular reptiles are classifie as Subclass Synapsida. Presently, this is the best example of th e transformation of one major higher taxon into another. The morphologic changes that took place are well documented by fossils, beginning with animals essentially 100% reptilian and resulting in animals essentially 100% mammalian. Therefore, I have chosen this as the example to summarize in more detail (Table 1, Fig. 1).
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Comparisons
M. Eyes = ?
Nose = ?
Teeth incisors = ?
K. Eyes = ?
Nose = pointy
Teeth incisors = smaller fangs
J. Eyes = Medium
Nose = stubby
Teeth incisors = BIGGER fangs
I. Eyes = Medium
Nose = more pointy
Teeth incisors = big fangs
H. Eyes = Bigger
Nose = more blunt
Teeth incisors = Even more
G. Eyes = real SMALL
Nose = Real pointy
Teeth incisors = More
F. Eyes = Smaller
Nose = Blunt
Teeth incisors = Thin, less
E. Eyes = HUGE!
Nose = pointy, again
Teeth incisors = Smaller
D. Eyes = Smaller
Nose = Holes bigger
Teeth incisors = Bigger
C. Eyes = Huge, again!
Nose = broader
Teeth incisors = very small
B. Eyes = less huge
Nose = narrower
Teeth incisors = ??
A. Eyes = big
Nose = rounded
Teeth incisors = small
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(The chart is from The Fossil Record: Evolution or "Scientific Creation" by Clifford A. Cuffey. It is on part 5 of a multipart article. The beginning of the article is here. )
After seeing these pix; do you?