The family Felidae (cats) is distributed across Africa, Eurasia, North America, and South America and is hypothesized to have eight major lineages (Panthera, bay cat, caracal, ocelot, lynx, puma, leopard, and domestic cat groups) as shown in this phylogenetic tree, constructed from DNA sequences. Scientists used a molecular clock and fossil evidence to date the divergence of each group. The dates of divergence are provided in the accompanying figure.

-The cheetah, which is currently found in Africa, is part of the puma group. Which of the following predictions is most consistent with the evolutionary hypotheses represented in the phylogenetic tree?
A) The common ancestor of all the species in the puma group dispersed from Africa more than 10 million years ago.
B) A land bridge between North America and Eurasia formed as a result of lowered sea levels between 4 and 7 million years ago.
C) The cheetahs evolved from the lynxes between 7 and 9 million years ago while Laurasia was still connected to Gondwana.
D) All the cats that are currently found in Africa evolved from a common ancestor in Eurasia about 9 million years ago.

Question

The family Felidae (cats) is distributed across Africa, Eurasia, North America, and South America and is hypothesized to have eight major lineages (Panthera, bay cat, caracal, ocelot, lynx, puma, leopard, and domestic cat groups) as shown in this phylogenetic tree, constructed from DNA sequences. Scientists used a molecular clock and fossil evidence to date the divergence of each group. The dates of divergence are provided in the accompanying figure.
 
-The cheetah, which is currently found in Africa, is part of the puma group. Which of the following predictions is most consistent with the evolutionary hypotheses represented in the phylogenetic tree?
A) The common ancestor of all the species in the puma group dispersed from Africa more than 10 million years ago. 
B) A land bridge between North America and Eurasia formed as a result of lowered sea levels between 4 and 7 million years ago. 
C) The cheetahs evolved from the lynxes between 7 and 9 million years ago while Laurasia was still connected to Gondwana. 
D) All the cats that are currently found in Africa evolved from a common ancestor in Eurasia about 9 million years ago.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The phylogenetic tree shows the divergence of the different cat lineages over time, and the accompanying figure provides dates for the divergence events. The cheetah is part of the puma group, which also includes the jaguarundi and the cougar. According to the divergence dates provided in the figure, this group diverged from the other lineages around 6 million years ago. Option B is the most consistent with this evolutionary hypothesis because it suggests that a land bridge between North America and Eurasia formed during this time period, allowing the puma group to disperse from one continent to another. Option A is incorrect because the puma group did not disperse from Africa. Option C is incorrect because the cheetahs did not evolve from lynxes, and the time period given for the divergence is not consistent with the provided figure. Option D is incorrect because not all the cats currently found in Africa evolved from a common ancestor in Eurasia.

The Family Felidae (Cats) Is Distributed Across Africa, Eurasia, North