Refer to the Table

question 55

Multiple Choice

Refer to the table.
The table shows the number of species of a group of mammals present in the tropics, the subtropics, and the temperate zone over the last fifty million years.
-Which specific hypothesis is best supported by the data in the table?

• A) Speciation rates are greater in the tropics because of the abundance of land area there.
• B) Extinction rates are lower in the tropics because of the abundance of land area there.
• C) The evolutionary time available for diversification in the tropics has been more limited than elsewhere, since the last major disturbance occurred there more recently than elsewhere.
• D) The evolutionary time available for diversification in the tropics has been greater than elsewhere, since the last major disturbance occurred there less recently than elsewhere.

---

Definitions:

Major Industries

Key sectors of the economy which are significant in terms of their output, employment, or revenue generation.

Private Ownership

refers to properties or businesses owned by individuals or corporations rather than by the government or the public sector.

Private Sector

The part of the economy that is run by individuals and companies for profit and is not controlled by the government.

Publicly-Owned Enterprises

Businesses that are owned by the government and operated for the benefit of the general public.