The global distribution of flightless birds (Ratites) illustrates which of the following types of evidence for evolution?

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The question asks: The global distribution of flightless birds (Ratites) illustrates which of the following types of evidence for evolution?

First, consider what the scenario highlights. Ratites are a group of flightless birds whose present-day distributions across continents align with historical geological connections rather than with patterns produced solely by similarity of form.

Optionally, if choices include biogeography: Biogeography is the study of how species are distributed in space and across different geographic regions, and how historical processes like continental drift, dispersal, and isolation shape those patterns. The ratites (ostrich, emu, cassowaries, kiwis, rheas, etc.) show a distribution that mirrors the breakup of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. This supports the idea that related species were once connected and diverged as continents separated, illustrating a geographic pattern of evolution.

If the question’s intended answer is biogeography, this would be because the key insight is that the geographic distribution provides evidence about evolutionary history (common ancestry and vicariance) rather than just functional similarity or individual adaptation.

Now, imagine alternative types of evidence and why they would be less fitting for this particular observation. 
- If one considered genetic or molecular data as the only evidence, the focus would shift to DNA similarities rather than the geographic pattern itself. The ratite distribution is complementary to molecular data but primarily demonstrates historical biogeography.
- If the option were natural selection in response to local environments, you would expect convergence due to similar environments; however, the broad pattern across continents aligns more with historical land connections than with independent, similar adaptations.
- If the choice were homologous structures alone, you’d emphasize anatomical similarity due to shared ancestry, which is related but does not directly capture the geographic component that ties distributions to continental drift.

In sum, the global, continent-wise pattern of ratites is best explained by biogeography, reflecting historical processes that shaped where related species could persist and diverge as landmasses moved and separated. The scenario underscores why geographic context is essential for understanding evolutionary history.

BIOL 1001 (090-095) Unit 2.2 Learning Quiz

The global distribution of flightless birds (Ratites) illustrates which of the following types of evidence for evolution?

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