A survey of insects in a rainforest shows a very high species diversity, whereas a similar survey in a temperate deciduous forest shows a much lower species diversity.Scientists are interested in the processes that resulted in this difference in diversity.Which piece of evidence, if true, would most directly favor the "species diversification time" hypothesis?
A) The two ecosystems are at very different latitudes.
B) The tropical forest is much older than the temperate forest.
C) Extinction rates are much lower in the tropical forest.
D) The tropical forest has a warmer, more stable climate than the temperate forest.
E) Productivity is higher in the tropical forest, so species have more resources.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The "species diversification time" hypothesis suggests that the longer a habitat has been present, the more time species have had to diversify and evolve. Therefore, if the tropical rainforest is much older than the temperate forest, this would directly support this hypothesis. The other choices are less relevant to this particular hypothesis.

A Survey of Insects in a Rainforest Shows a Very