Compared with more distantly related taxa, the DNA sequences of two closely related taxa are expected to show:
A)fewer differences because mutation rates are usually relatively constant and recently diverging species have had less time to accumulate differences.
B)fewer differences because mutation rates slow down after speciation events so that recently diverging species have fewer mutations.
C)fewer differences because mutation rates are highly variable and it is just by chance that recently diverging species accumulate fewer differences in DNA sequences.
D)more differences because mutation rates are relatively constant and recently diverging species have had more time to accumulate differences.
E)more differences because mutation rates accelerate during speciation events, leading to more changes in DNA sequences.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A because mutation rates are usually relatively constant, and recently diverging species have had less time to accumulate differences. As a result, we would expect the DNA sequences of closely related taxa to show fewer differences.

Compared with More Distantly Related Taxa, the DNA Sequences of Two