If many organisms share common features, could they also share a common ancestry? [Pg. No. 231]

Yes, if many organisms share common features, they may have a common ancestry. This is because organisms inherit many characteristics from their ancestors. The more basic and important features two organisms share, the more closely related they are likely to be. For example, animals with a backbone are grouped together because they share a common structural feature that may have come from a common ancestor. However, scientists compare many features carefully, because some similarities can also develop due to similar habitats or lifestyles.