In 2010, scientists excavated a skull fossil that provides evidence of a newly discovered species of big cat. Based on the evidence, scientists hypothesize that big cats branched off from smaller wild cats, about 6 million year ago. Which pf these resources did the scientists most likely rely on to form their hypothesis?
A. the fossil record and DNA comparisons of big cats and small cats
B. A food web showing feeding relationships of organisms where the fossils skull was found
C. The historical record of interactions between different species of big cats
D. Population and migrated data for small wild cats living the ecosystem where the skull was found