Question

The figure below shows locations of modern or fossil lungfish. Their worldwide distribution indicates that _____.

A. lungfish have dispersed widely since they originated on Africa in the mid-Cenozoic
B. lungfish can tolerate Arctic climates
C. lungfish predate the breakup of Pangaea, and thus are at least 250 million years old as a group
D. lungfish fossils are not found on the same continents where living lungfish are found

Answer 1

The worldwide distribution of lungfish indicates that they predate the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea, suggesting they are at least 250 million years old as a group.The correct option is C.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question relates to the distribution of lungfish both modern and fossilized, which indicates something about their historical biogeography.

Given that lungfish are found all over the world, including all the continents that once formed the supercontinent Pangaea, it is reasonable to infer that lungfish predate the breakup of Pangaea.

This would make them at least 250 million years old as a group.

The presence of lung-like organs that have evolved from the swim bladder allowing them to survive prolonged periods out of water, and their distribution related to the breakup of the supercontinents Laurentia and Gondwana, provides evidence that lungfish were widespread before these supercontinents divided.The correct option is C.