Final answer:
The interaction between the garter snake and the newt exemplifies coevolution and evolutionary arms races, therefore option 5) a and b are correct is the best choice, demonstrating reciprocal evolutionary adaptations in predator-prey dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coevolution occurs when two or more species reciprocally affect each other's evolution. An example of this is the relationship between predators and their prey, such as garter snakes and newts. The garter snake, Thamnophis, has evolved resistance to the toxins of the newt it preys on, which in turn has led to newts evolving more potent toxins to deter predation.
This interaction is also characteristic of evolutionary arms races, where each species must continually adapt to the counter-adaptations of the other, reflecting the Red Queen Hypothesis that states "It takes all the running you can do to stay in the same place." In such arms races, the ongoing adaptations and counter-adaptations closely resemble an arms race in which competitors strive to outdo each other with superior defenses or weaponry. The interaction between the garter snake and the newt is a classic example of both coevolution and evolutionary arms races, illustrating a dynamic balance where no single species progresses too far ahead due to the continual evolution among all involved parties.