prep70 有关as用法

It is unclear whether chimpanzees are unique among nonhuman species in their ability to learn behaviors from one another, or if, when other animals are studied in as much depth, similar patterns would be found.

A.if, when other animals are studied in as much depth, similar patterns would be found

B if other anmals were studied with as much depth they would exhibit similar patterns

C would similar patterns be found in other animals if they were studied in as much depth

D whether similar patterns  would be exhibited in other animals that were studied with as much depth

E whether other animals would exhibit similar patterns if they were studied in as much depth

题目并不难，不明白的是这里as的用法，作为副词像so么？

我觉得是

whether other animals would exhibit similar patterns if they were studied in as much depth
            

(as chimpanzees were studied) 的省略

不知道对不对?