A paleontologist has discovered a fossil of a jawbone

from a prehistoric carnivore. It is similar to other fossils

found in nearby areas, but has some unique

characteristics and was found in a much deeper rock

layer. Which of the following is a reasonable conclusion

about the fossilized animal?

The prehistoric carnivore could be a earlier species or ancestor of the other carnivores around it.

Explanation:

Due to the fossil being found in a deeper layer of rock it is believed that it would have died and fossilized before the other carnivores. With different features it could show a sign of evolution from that carnivore to the others.

The answer is that the fossil that was found deeper in the rocks than others was an ancestor of the surrounding, shallower skeletons.

Explanation:

It is clear the skeletons are related because of the similar structures. The reason it is different from the other skeletons is because it is older than them, and they have evolved. You can tell it is older than them because it is deeper in the rock, because the landmass has changed between it's lifetime, and it' descendants.