Geologist discovered fossils of identical spider mites from the same time period but on opposite sides of the ocean from each other. What conclusion is supported by the discovery of these fossils?(1 point)
Responses
The mites were extraordinary swimmers.
The mites were extraordinary swimmers.
The locations of the fossils were once vast swamp lands.
The locations of the fossils were once vast swamp lands.
The locations of the fossils were once much closer to each other.
The locations of the fossils were once much closer to each other.
The climate was much cooler during the time that the mites lived.
The discovery of identical spider mite fossils from the same time period but on opposite sides of the ocean supports the conclusion that:
The locations of the fossils were once much closer to each other.
This suggests that the continents or landmasses where the fossils were found were previously joined or at least closer together, which is consistent with the theory of plate tectonics and the concept of continental drift. It is unlikely that spider mites were extraordinary swimmers capable of crossing oceans, and the presence of identical species in geographically distant regions is not directly indicative of the climate being cooler during the time they lived. Instead, it points to the possibility that these regions shared a similar environment in the past due to their proximity, which allowed the same species to inhabit both areas.