Why is Continental Drift Important to Our Understanding of Primate

Question

Why is continental drift important to our understanding of primate evolution?
A) It can facilitate speciation.
B) It can cause random changes in gene frequencies.
C) It produces adaptations.
D) It increases mutations.

Accepted Answer

Continental drift has been a major driving force behind the speciation of many primate groups. When continents separate and populations become isolated from each other, they can accumulate genetic differences over time, eventually leading to the formation of distinct species. This process has been particularly important for the evolution of Old World monkeys, apes, and humans in Africa and Eurasia. Without continental drift, primate diversity and distribution may look very different than it does today.