Final answer:
Sympatric speciation is the process where one species diverges into two in the same geographic location, often due to mechanisms like polyploidy or behavioral changes leading to reproductive isolation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When one species diverges into two without being geographically separated, this is a result of sympatric speciation. Unlike allopatric speciation, where species diverge due to a physical barrier separating them, sympatric speciation occurs within a shared habitat without geographic isolation. Mechanisms for this type of speciation include changes in chromosomal number through events like polyploidy, as well as behavioral changes leading to reproductive isolation. An example of sympatric speciation could involve plants in the same area becoming polyploid and thus unable to interbreed with the original diploid population, despite living in the same geographic location.