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a population of tree roaches are split apart by a forest fire. They are geographically isolated. reproductive isolation has happened because they cannot be near each other to breed. gene flow stops happening between the populations. the two populations start to diverge. eventually, the two populations are so different that they are unable to produce fertile offspring together. this means that they are now different species. the process of specation is complete.

User RPT
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Final answer:

Reproductive isolation is a process that leads to speciation by preventing populations from breeding due to geographic isolation. Over time, the isolated populations evolve differently and become genetically distinct, resulting in the formation of new species.

Step-by-step explanation:

Reproductive isolation is one of the ways speciation occurs naturally. It can happen through geographic isolation, where populations are separated by physical barriers like a forest fire, preventing them from breeding. Over time, the isolated populations evolve in different directions, eventually becoming so different that they can no longer produce fertile offspring together, resulting in the formation of new species.

User Dzmitry Savinkou
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