The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) is found on tropical coasts worldwide. For years, scholars debated whether humans carried coconuts across the oceans or if they dispersed naturally. Geneticist Dr. H. Ray analyzed coconut DNA and found that Pacific and Indian Ocean varieties diverged over 2 million years ago long before human migration. Given that humans have only been navigating these oceans for a few thousand years, Ray inferred that ______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
humans were responsible for the initial introduction of coconuts to the Indian Ocean.
the coconut palm likely dispersed to these distant regions via ocean currents without human intervention.
Pacific coconut varieties are genetically identical to those found in the Indian Ocean.
the divergence of coconut varieties occurred after human settlement of the Pacific islands.
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. The evidence states that the coconut varieties diverged 2 million years ago, but humans only arrived a few thousand years ago. This huge time gap implies the coconuts were there long before humans could have moved them. Therefore, they must have dispersed naturally (via ocean currents).
Choice A contradicts the timeline (humans arrived too late). Choice C contradicts the evidence that they "diverged" (became different). Choice D contradicts the evidence that divergence happened 2 million years ago (long before settlement).