Question

3. Which of the following situations is least likely to lead to geographic isolation and allopatric speciation?

a. An eight-lane highway divides a population of snails with limited mobility.

b. A deep, narrow river divides a population of hummingbirds.

c. A deep, narrow river divides a population of white-footed mice (not known for their swimming ability).

d. A patch of land bisects a river and divides a population of minnows.

e. A mountain range divides a population of moths.

Answer 1

b. A deep, narrow river divides a population of hummingbirds.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hummingbirds can fly across the river. The deep and narrow river can not separate a population of hummingbirds into two patches since hummingbirds from one side of the river can fly and reach to the other side of the river.

Without any geographical isolation, hummingbirds can continue to interbreed among themselves. The continued interbreeding would not allow their reproductive isolation and thereby would prevent the allopatric speciation.