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Multiple Choice
Which of the following organisms is most closely related to the leopard (Panthera pardus)?
A
Wolf (Canis lupus)
B
Tiger (Panthera tigris)
C
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
D
Lion (Panthera leo)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the scientific names of the organisms provided in the question. The leopard's scientific name is Panthera pardus, and the other organisms are Canis lupus (wolf), Panthera tigris (tiger), Acinonyx jubatus (cheetah), and Panthera leo (lion).
Understand that organisms with the same genus are more closely related. In biological classification, the genus is the taxonomic rank above species, and organisms within the same genus share a more recent common ancestor.
Compare the genus names of the organisms. The leopard (Panthera pardus), tiger (Panthera tigris), and lion (Panthera leo) all belong to the genus Panthera, while the wolf (Canis lupus) belongs to the genus Canis, and the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) belongs to the genus Acinonyx.
Since the lion (Panthera leo) shares the same genus (Panthera) as the leopard (Panthera pardus), it is more closely related to the leopard than the other organisms listed.
Conclude that the lion (Panthera leo) is the correct answer because it shares the most recent common ancestor with the leopard within the genus Panthera.