Question

Galapagos tortoises are most similar to

• A. Fossilised tortoise species of Australia
• B. Fossilised turtle species of Africa
• C. Living tortoise species of South America
• D. Living tortoise species of North America

Answer 1

The correct option is C Living tortoise species of South America

Darwin on his voyage observed that the tortoises on Galapagos islands, which are situated off the coast of South America, were quite different from those he found in Africa (living species), but were much more similar to the living species of tortoise in South America. This was because of the divergence of the two species from a common ancestor and their decent into different geographical areas. To adapt to such areas with different environmental conditions, the diverged species develop morphological structures that are different from those of their ancestor. Darwin named this phenomenon “Natural Selection”.