Explain4 marksStandard
Table 1 shows the number of DNA base differences in a homologous gene (1000 base pairs) among five species of a genus of beetles found on different islands in an archipelago. The islands are: Island 1 (lowland forest and highland forest), Island 2 (lowland forest only), Island 3 (coastal mangroves and inland forest).
| Species | A (Island 1 lowland) | B (Island 1 highland) | C (Island 2 lowland) | D (Island 3 coastal) | E (Island 3 inland) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 0 | 10 | 150 | 180 | 190 |
| B | 10 | 0 | 155 | 175 | 185 |
| C | 150 | 155 | 0 | 50 | 55 |
| D | 180 | 175 | 50 | 0 | 20 |
| E | 190 | 185 | 55 | 20 | 0 |
Explain how the data in Table 1 supports the theory of evolution and suggests how speciation may have occurred.