Question

There is an island in the middle of a large river that houses a large population of ants. Damming of the river causes the isla to flood and only the highest points of the island are now above water. The ants cannot swim, so are now in multiple isolated populations. Which of the following best describes this event? A. This situation represents isolation by dispersal. B. This situation represents isolation by vicariance. C. This situation represents a form of sympatric speciation. D. Speciation will not occur in this case because of gene flow.

Answer 1

B. This situation represents isolation by vicariance

Step-by-step explanation:

Vicariance is a process by which the large geographical area is distributed in a small area by the formation of a barrier. This process distributes the large population in into small population due to the formation of the barrier which does not allow the gene flow.

In the given question, the ants live on the island of the river and the formation of a dam increases the water level during the flood. Only the highest point of the island appears which leads to the separation of the population of the ants. This is the case of the Vicariance.

Thus, Option-B is correct.