The Figure Shows the Relationships Between Oldfield Mice Populations

Multiple Choice

The figure shows the relationships between oldfield mice populations. Light-colored beach populations are shown with a triangle; dark-colored inland populations are shown with circles. Which of the following statements is consistent with this phylogeny?

A) Light coat color arose multiple times independently in different beach populations.
B) The light-coat allele arose prior to colonization of beach populations.
C) Natural selection favors light coat color when the Mc1R allele is mutated.
D) Dark-colored populations are derived from migrants from the beach populations.