Question

Which scenario would most likely NOT lead to speciation?

A) A flood washes a few lizards or insects to a new island.

B) Neighboring herds of elk misinterpret each other’s mating behaviors, causing them to fight instead of mate.

C) Varieties of flowering plants produce pollen in different seasons causing them to be unable to pollinate one another.

D) The rock pocket mice with the dark fur gene mutation survive best on the dark lava flows because they are camouflaged from predators, unlike their lighter counterparts.


IT'S NOT C! I TRIED!! ;(

Answer 1

Hello!! The definition of speciation is that there is different variations of organisms in a certain area that have evolved over time. Since A, C, and D would give genetic variability in a certain area, my best answer is B. Since they do not mate and just fight instead, there would not be any genetic variability, unless sexual reproduction would take place.

I hope I have helped!! Have a great evening and Happy New Year!!

Answer 2

Option c, Varieties of flowering plants produce pollen in different seasons causing them to be unable to pollinate one another.

Step-by-step explanation:

For speciation to occur there must be mating between the species belonging to the same group or different group.

In option B, the herds misinterpret each other’s mating behaviors therefore they are not able to interact sexually. But there may be time when they would be able to understand each other and thus have some scope of mating in future.

In option C, the pollinating season is different and thus the two different flower species have the least scope of mating and hence speciation would not occur here.

In option D, predators effect may not kill the lighter mice completely therefore these light colored mouse may shall mate with the dark counterparts to cause speciation.

In option A, the lizards carried away to the new island will mate there and hence cause speciation.

Thus, option C is the only right choice of answer