There are six living species of mammals called hyraxes in the order Hyracoidea. These are small rabbit-like mammals that are also considered to be close relatives of both dugongs and elephants. All of these mammals are widely different morphologically. Explain how organisms that are widely different in morphology can have a close evolutionary relationship.

Though some organisms are morphologically very different from each other, yet they can belong to same species group. It is because of shared genetic framework with minute changes.

For example – Human and chimpanzees have similar genes and share about 99 percent their genes with each other.

The variation in 1 % gene has led to visible anatomical differences such as varying lengths of arms, jaw structure and size etc.

The same is the case with six living species of mammals and their close relationship with dugongs and elephants

aliasger2709 aliasger2709 · Answer 2 · 2022-01-11T07:13:42+01:00

Hyraxes are plant-eating small mammals of order Hyracoidea which are related to the elephants and dugongs. The mammals can anatomically differ from each other due to variation in genetic material over time in related species.

The morphological different species can belong to the same class because they have a genetic difference rate of very less compared to others. As they can have 98% same genes but that 2% makes them different from other animals of the same class.

1-2% modification in genes can alter the genetic makeup, anatomical and morphological attributes of an organism of the same class.

To learn more about genetic variations and evolution follow the link:

https://brainly.com/question/1264312