Question

Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species in different regions through the history of life on Earth. The map below shows the approximate arrangement of five continents in Earth's past. The distributions of several ancient species, based on fossil evidence, are also shown.

On which modern-day continents would you be most likely to find organisms that share Cynognathus as a common ancestor?

1Points

A
Africa and South America only

B
Africa, Antarctica, and South America only

C
Africa, Antarctica, India, and South America only

D
Africa, Antarctica, Australia, India, and South America

Answer 1

The modern - day continent that one would most likely to find organisms that share Cynognathus as a common ancestor would be A. Africa and South America only

Cynognathus is shown on the part of the supercontinent that corresponds to modern-day Africa and South America.

Given that the distributions of species from that time are often used as evidence for continental drift, and considering that species can evolve and spread from their points of origin, it's reasonable to infer that descendants of Cynognathus might be found on the continents that were once connected to the regions where Cynognathus fossils have been found.

Therefore, the modern-day continents where you would be most likely to find organisms that share Cynognathus as a common ancestor would include Africa and South America.

Answer 2

Answer: A) Africa and South America only

As shown in the map, the fossil evidence suggests that Cynognathus lived on the modern day continents of South America and Africa. Thus, from this distribution and the fragmentation of the ancient landmass into today's continents, result in the distribution of Cynognathus offspring species also only within the continents of Africa and South America.