Question

the microbial groups from far below the ocean floor differed from those in shallower layers. source: science magazine in the sentence above, differed has the same or almost the same meaning as: depleted diverged distracted detailed

Explanation:

"Differed" means to be unlike or dissimilar. "Diverged" also implies moving or becoming different from something else. "Depleted" means used up or reduced, "distracted" means having one's attention diverted, and "detailed" means having many details. So "diverged" is closest in meaning to "differed".

Answer:

B. diverged