Which type of speciation can occur even when populations inhabit the same geographic area (i.e., without physical separation)?
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Correct answer: Sympatric speciation
Sympatric speciation occurs without geographic isolation — new species arise within the same area, often through ecological, behavioral, or genetic (e.g., polyploidy) divergence that reduces gene flow.
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More Evolution and speciation questions
- Which factor can facilitate sympatric speciation in plants more readily than in animals?
- What is adaptive radiation?
- Which phenomenon can lead to loss of genetic variation and increase the probability of fixation of deleterious alleles in small populations?
- Which outcome is LEAST likely if two populations remain in contact and continue exchanging migrants (gene flow)?
- Which process introduces new heritable variation into a population that can be acted upon by evolutionary forces?
- How can sexual selection contribute to speciation within a population?