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Baleen whales (须鲸), such as the blue whale, are huge sea animals. “Baleen” describes a filter-feeding (滤食的) system in their mouths through which they can eat huge numbers of very small ocean animals. But it appears now that whales are not the first sea animals to filter-feed.

Scientists recently reported their findings about the ancient remains of a sea animal called Hupehsuchus nanchangensis that lived 248 million years ago, during the Triassic Period. They say its fossil (化石), which was unearthed in China’s Hubei Province, presents evidence of a filter-feeding system similar to that of baleen whales.

Unlike blue whales, Hupehsuchus was not large. The animal measured about one meter long. Its mouth was narrow and toothless. Its lower jaw was loosely connected to the rest of the head bone. This permitted the animal to open its mouth wide to take in a large amount of water and the animals it carried. The structure traps little sea animals but lets the seawater flow out.

From two new fossils with well-kept head bones the scientists found evidence along the jaws suggesting the presence of soft tissues that could have served as baleen. “We were amazed to discover the adaptation in such an early sea animal,” said Fang Zichen of the Wuhan Center of China Geological Survey.

Paleontologist Mike Benton said, “Altogether, this points to a soft pocket of skin around the mouth and throat, as in modern baleen whales, and some kind of filtering device hanging from the jaws, like baleen.” But, he added, the baleen and skin were not fossilized.

According to scientists, Hupehsuchus’ feeding style would match that used by baleen whales. This feeding structure is an example of a phenomenon in which distinct organisms independently evolve similar features—like the wings of birds and bats—to adapt to similar environments.

【小题1】Why are baleen whales mentioned in the first paragraph?
A.To present another sea animal.B.To awaken curiosity about huge whales.
C.To draw attention to their current state.D.To introduce their unique feeding pattern.
【小题2】Which aspect of Hupehsuchus is mainly discussed in paragraph 3?
A.How it filter-fed.B.Its lower jaw's function.
C.Why it grew toothless.D.Its physical characteristics.
【小题3】What surprised the scientists about Hupehsuchus?
A.Baleen surrounded the jaws.B.It could feed and live in the sea.
C.It developed a filter-feeding system.D.Two undamaged head bones were found.
【小题4】Which can be a suitable title for the text?
A.Hupehsuchus Proving to Be a Filter-feeder
B.Hupehsuchus Appearing Earlier than Whales
C.Scientists Unlocking the Secrets of Hupehsuchus
D.New Evidence Telling Hupehsuchus' Evolution
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