Which of the following observations helped Darwin shape his concept of descent with modification?
A) Species diversity declines further from the equator.
B) Fewer species live on islands than on the nearest continents.
C) Birds live on islands located further from the mainland than the birds' maximum nonstop flight distance.
D) Australian temperate plants are more similar to Australian tropical plants than to the temperate plants of Europe.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Darwin observed that Australian temperate plants were more similar to Australian tropical plants than to the temperate plants of Europe. This observation provided evidence for the idea that species descended from common ancestors and then diverged in different directions based on their environments. The similarity between Australian plants also suggested that the common ancestor of these species likely existed in Australia rather than Europe.

Which of the Following Observations Helped Darwin Shape His Concept