Question

Select the example of allopatric speciation.

a. a flock of birds gets blown off course and now inhabits a field of sunflowers, a diploid sunflower plant produces a tetraploid progeny.
b. the new tetraploid plant produces a number of tetraploid progeny.
c. a river is diverted causing a large lake to form several small pools of water.
d. the pools of water remain interconnected, and fish can swim from pool to pool.

Answer 1

The example that best represents allopatric speciation is when a river diversion causes a large lake to split into several small pools, possibly leading to the genetic divergence and speciation of separated fish populations. The correct answer of choice is c. a river is diverted causing a large lake to form several small pools of water.

Step-by-step explanation:

Selecting the example of allopatric speciation involves identifying a scenario where a species becomes geographically separated leading to the evolution of new species. Allopatric speciation is differentiated from sympatric speciation, which occurs without geographical barriers.

Of the scenarios provided, the one that represents allopatric speciation is: a river is diverted causing a large lake to form several small pools of water. This scenario illustrates vicariance, where a geographical barrier, in this case, the formation of several small pools caused by a diverted river, creates physical separation of populations within a species. If these pools prevent fish from moving between them, this isolation could lead to genetic divergence and eventually the rise of new species.