In a study of tropical forests it was found that while the species of trees ... ...

In a study of tropical forests it was found that while the species of trees that is most common in a particular forest also reproduces the most, trees of the species that is rarest there tend to survive longer. This pattern holds regardless of which species of trees is the most common and which is the rarest.

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain why trees of the rarest species tend to survive longer than trees of the most common species?


(A) The species of trees that is most common in a forest thrives there because it is best suited to the local climate.
(B) ...
(C) ...
(D) ...
(E) ...

*This question is included in PT70 (Oct 2013): Logical Reasoning A