Question

Which of the following observations helped Darwin shape his concept of descent with modification?A) Species diversity declines farther from the equator.B) Fewer species live on islands than on the nearest continents.C) Birds can be found on islands located farther from the mainland than the birdsʹ maximum nonstop flightdistance.D) South American temperate plants are more similar to the tropical plants of South America than to thetemperate plants of Europe.E) Earthquakes reshape life by causing mass extinctions.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option D

South American temperate plants are more similar to the tropical plants of South America than to the temperate plants of Europe.

In South America Darwin observed that organisms have adapted to different habitats ranging from jungle to grassland. The species belonging to the temperate South American region were closely related to the Tropical regions of South America and were not associated with the nearby temperate regions of Europe. For example –

In grass land of Argentina there were no rabbits , but there were a species of rodents that resembled the rabbit. These rodents resemble with the rodents in South America and have no resemblance to the rodents of Europe