Final answer:
Biogeography and the distribution of organisms provide evidence for evolution by demonstrating change over time and evidence of common ancestry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Biogeography and the distribution of organisms provide evidence for evolution by demonstrating both change over time and evidence of common ancestry. Biogeography is the study of the geographic distribution of species and how they are influenced by factors such as climate, geography, and plate tectonics. The patterns of species distribution around the world can only be explained by evolution and the movement of species over time.
For example, the distribution of marsupials, such as kangaroos, is primarily found in Australia and surrounding islands. This pattern is best explained by the fact that marsupials originated in Australia and then diversified and spread to neighboring regions over millions of years.
Similarly, the presence of similar species on different continents, such as the ostrich in Africa and the rhea in South America, suggests a common ancestry and the separation of continents over time. The study of fossils and the fossil record also supports the idea of evolution and common ancestry, as it shows the progression of species over time and the appearance of new species.
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