Characid Fishes Are Found Naturally Only in South America and Africa

Multiple Choice

Characid fishes are found naturally only in South America and Africa. Fossils of these fish are not found on any other continents. What is the most likely explanation of this distribution pattern?

A) These fishes arose in either Africa or South America and migrated across the South Atlantic Ocean to the other continent.
B) Characid fishes arose prior to the separation of the African and South American continents.
C) Characid fishes arose in the South Atlantic Ocean and migrated to Africa and South America.
D) Convergent evolution is responsible for the distribution of characid fishes.