The formation of the major Hawaiian Islands began approximately 28 million years ago. These islands have formed as the Pacific Island tectonic plate has moved over a hotspot, which is a fixed area in the Earth's mantle at which magma rises to the crust. As a result of this formation, each of the Hawaiian Islands has a different age.

Question

Researchers examined the history of a group of Drosophila, a type of small fly, on the Hawaiian Islands. The graph below shows the number of subgroups in this group of Drosophila, called the AMC group, over time. The table next to the graph shows the age of the oldest major Hawaiian Islands.

What statement is best supported by the data in the table and the graph?
A.
The change in the diversity of the AMC group of Drosophila is not related to the formation of the Hawaiian islands.
B.
The formation of the islands of Kauai and Oahu is associated with an increase in the diversity of AMC Drosophila.
C.
By the time Midway Island had formed, the majority of the AMC Drosophila subgroups had been established.
D.
At the time that Necker Island formed, there were no Drosophila of the AMC group present on the Hawaiian islands.

Answer 1

To determine which statement is best supported by the data in the table and the graph, we need to consider the relationship between the formation of the Hawaiian Islands and the diversity of the AMC group of Drosophila based on the information provided.

1. Statement A: The change in the diversity of the AMC group of Drosophila is not related to the formation of the Hawaiian islands.

   • This statement suggests no correlation but would contradict any evidence of diversity changes tied to island formation, which is unlikely given their evolutionary relationship.

2. Statement B: The formation of the islands of Kauai and Oahu is associated with an increase in the diversity of AMC Drosophila.

   • This statement could be valid if the graph shows an uptick in diversity during or shortly after the formation of these islands.

3. Statement C: By the time Midway Island had formed, the majority of the AMC Drosophila subgroups had been established.

   • This would require information showing that a significant number of subgroups existed before the formation of Midway Island, which may or may not be supported by the graph.

4. Statement D: At the time that Necker Island formed, there were no Drosophila of the AMC group present on the Hawaiian islands.

   • This statement would be valid if the graph indicates zero diversity when Necker Island was formed.

Without the actual graph and data to analyze, we would rely on logical deductions. However, generally, options like B or C are more likely to be true when considering patterns of species diversity and island formation, given that evolution on islands often leads to increased diversity due to isolation and ecological opportunities.

Given common evolutionary patterns, Statement B is often an appropriate conclusion because the formation of new islands typically provides new habitats leading to increased species diversity, including Drosophila, after island formation. If the graph indeed shows a change in the number of subgroups around the time these islands formed, this statement is likely supported.

Therefore, B would be the most plausible choice under these typical evolutionary circumstances. If you have the graph or specific data points, that could further clarify which statements are most accurate.