What key physical characteristic relates to the White Sturgeon's ancient lineage in the Order Acipenseriformes?
Answer
Retaining many primitive characteristics
The White Sturgeon's placement in the Order Acipenseriformes signifies that this group, which also includes paddlefishes, has retained many primitive characteristics throughout its long evolutionary history. The lineage of this order traces back significantly far, reaching into the Mesozoic Era, implying that these organisms swam alongside dinosaurs. This deep evolutionary history is directly linked to several of the sturgeon's biological traits, such as its slow maturation rate, which often requires over a decade to achieve sexual maturity, and its capacity for exceptional longevity, frequently living for many decades, sometimes exceeding 100 years.
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