Question

Which of the following statements about hypotheses proposed to explain latitudinal gradients in diversity is FALSE?

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Hint 1.

opened hint

Although scientists do not know the exact mechanisms underlying the geographic pattern of species diversity, more than 25 different mechanisms have been proposed.

Which of the following statements about hypotheses proposed to explain latitudinal gradients in diversity is FALSE?

The Pacific Ocean confounds the hypothesis relating species diversity to latitudinal gradients, as it has higher levels of diversity near the equator, where it also has the greatest surface area.

The latitudinal gradient in marine species holds true even when area of ocean does not correspond to the latitudinal gradient.

The latitudinal gradient in diversity is simply due to the fact that, as a sphere, the land mass area will decrease from the equator to the poles.

Answer 1

1. The first statement is TRUE as the Pacific ocean is located or spreads through the equator and has the maximum surface area covering around 30% of surface area of earth. According to the hypothesis mentioned for mid-point analysis, major diversification and more species are found concentrated towards the centre than at the poles. So, the statement hold true for having maximum diversity at the equator.
2. To answer this, it should be stated that surface area is related to maximum effect of diversity. Small the surface area, more will be the diversity for terrestrial habitats however oceans do follow such a pattern but Pacific oceans are exception in terms of large surface area to large diversity. So, the answer should be FALSE if taken into context the relation between surface area and oceanic diversity.
3. Actually speaking, the northern hemisphere has maximum land mass area as compared to the equator. So, this statement is FALSE.