A 2019 study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution looked at data from more than 1,500 species of birds, mammals, and fish in order to determine whether their rate of evolutionary change was linked to species survival. The study found that while some species did evolve faster than others, there was no clear relationship between evolutionary rate and survival. Instead, the study suggests that previous species success predicts species survival much more accurately than speed of adaptation does.

Question

A 2019 study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution looked at data from more than 1,500 species of birds, mammals, and fish in order to determine whether their rate of evolutionary change was linked to species survival. The study found that while some species did evolve faster than others, there was no clear relationship between evolutionary rate and survival. Instead, the study suggests that previous species success predicts species survival much more accurately than speed of adaptation does.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the underlined claim?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A)   Endangered and extinct species displayed a significantly slower evolutionary rate than other species.
A
Endangered and extinct species displayed a significantly slower evolutionary rate than other species.
(Choice B)   Evolutionary rate only impacted species survival when adaptations were linked to environmental pressures.
B
Evolutionary rate only impacted species survival when adaptations were linked to environmental pressures.
(Choice C)   Successful species tended to remain more successful than more quickly-evolving competitors.
C
Successful species tended to remain more successful than more quickly-evolving competitors.
(Choice D)   Invasive species that overtook competitors tended to exhibit a higher evolutionary rate than other species.
D
Invasive species that overtook competitors tended to exhibit a higher evolutionary rate than other species.
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GPT-4o mini · Answer

The underlined claim suggests that previous species success is a better predictor of species survival than the speed of adaptation (evolutionary rate).

To support this claim directly, we would need evidence that indicates that successful species continue to thrive, regardless of their evolutionary rate.

Choice C: Successful species tended to remain more successful than more quickly-evolving competitors.

This choice directly supports the claim that past success correlates with future survival, irrespective of how quickly they evolve. Therefore, the correct answer is:

C Successful species tended to remain more successful than more quickly-evolving competitors.