Question

question 6 of 20 : select the best answer for the question. 6. a squirrel population lives in an area. over many years, a river in that area grows wider and stronger, eventually forming a canyon. the squirrel populations on the two sides of the canyon can no longer mate with each other and ultimately form distinct species. this is an example of a. differential speciation. b. allopatric speciation. c. penultimate speciation. d. sympatric speciation. mark for review (will be highlighted on the review page)

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: "Differential speciation" is not a recognized term for this process.
• Option B: Allopatric speciation occurs when a physical barrier (like the canyon formed by the river) separates a population, preventing gene flow and leading to the formation of distinct species. This matches the scenario.
• Option C: "Penultimate speciation" is not a standard evolutionary term.
• Option D: Sympatric speciation happens within the same geographic area without a physical barrier, which does not fit here as the canyon is a physical barrier.

Answer:

B. allopatric speciation.