The image below represents a map of four islands.

Question

Each island is home to a distinct species of lizard. Assuming that all four lizard species share a common ancestor, which of the following is most likely to be true?
A.
The lizard species on Island A is morphologically identical to the lizard species on Island D.
B.
The lizard species on Island A is more closely related to the lizard species on Island B than to the lizard species on Island D.
C.
The lizard species on Island A is more closely related to the lizard species on Island C than to the lizard species on Island B.
D.
The lizard species on Island A is more closely related to the lizard species on Island D than to the lizard species on Island B.

Answer 1

D. The lizard species on Island A is more closely related to the lizard species on Island D than to the lizard species on Island B.

This is because organisms that are geographically closer to each other are more likely to share a more recent common ancestor than those that are farther apart. Island A and Island D are geographically closer to each other than Island A is to Island B, making it more likely that the lizard species on Island A and D share a more recent common ancestor.