DNA sequence similarity can be used to determine what about species?

DNA sequence similarity is a powerful tool for understanding the evolutionary relationships between species. When scientists compare the DNA sequences of different organisms, they can identify similarities and differences that reflect their shared ancestry. The more similar the DNA sequences are, the more closely related the species are likely to be. This genetic relationship can reveal how species have diverged from common ancestors over time, providing insights into their evolutionary history and phylogenetic connections.

While geographical distribution, feeding habits, and habitat preferences can also be influenced by evolutionary relationships or ecological factors, they do not directly stem from DNA sequence comparisons. These other aspects may be studied in conjunction with genetic data, but the most direct inference made from comparing DNA is about the relatedness of the species.