Question

the diagram above shows a model of species divergence among some primates. if this model is correct, the greatest genetic differences would be found in the dna sequences of which two species?
a tarsius bancanus and cebus albifrons
b macaca sylvanus and macaca mulatta
c hylobates lar and pongo pygmaeus
d pan troglodytes and lemur catta

Explanation:

In a phylogenetic tree, species that diverged earlier (i.e., are more distantly related) have greater genetic differences. We need to check the branching patterns in the given phylogenetic tree.

• Option A: Tarsius bancanus and Cebus albifrons are relatively closely related in the tree.
• Option B: Macaca sylvanus and Macaca mulatta are very closely related (they are in a small - branch together).
• Option C: Hylobates lar and Pongo pygmaeus are more closely related than some other pairs (they share a more recent common branch compared to the most distantly related pair).
• Option D: Pan troglodytes and Lemur catta are the most distantly related among the options. The branch length (evolutionary distance) between them is the longest in the context of the given tree, indicating more time for genetic differences to accumulate.

Answer:

D. Pan troglodytes and Lemur catta