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 birds' maximum nonstop flight distance.
D) South American temperate plants are more similar to the tropical plants of South America than to the temperate plants of Europe.
E) Earthquakes reshape life by causing mass extinctions.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Darwin's concept of descent with modification was influenced by the observation that species in a given area are more closely related to each other than to species in similar environments in different areas. This is exemplified by the similarity between South American temperate plants and the tropical plants of South America, rather than to the temperate plants of Europe (D), indicating a common ancestry and diversification from that ancestry over time within the same continent.

Which of the Following Observations Helped Darwin Shape His Concept