You discover a subterranean river in the outback of Australia and estimate that it is at least 50 million years old.You gather a crew of scientists to perform traditional species sampling of the river as well as modern techniques to calculate microbial diversity.The results indicate that the river is extremely diverse - you even get to name a new species of shrimp after yourself! During one of your many interviews,you are asked to explain the high diversity of the subterranean river.What hypothesis would you most likely cite?
A)The time hypothesis.
B)The area hypothesis.
C)The productivity hypothesis.
D)The diversity-stability hypothesis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The time hypothesis suggests that the longer a habitat has existed, the more time it has had for species to migrate, evolve, and diversify. Given the river's age of at least 50 million years, this hypothesis best explains the high diversity observed.

You Discover a Subterranean River in the Outback of Australia