Question

side-splotched lizards, uta stansburiana, are a type of lizard found in the southwestern united states. male lizards come in three sizes. each size has a corresponding color and reproductive strategy. the largest, orange-morph lizards maintain large harems over large territories which are difficult to guard against competitors. since they are the largest males, they easily win challenges by smaller males. however since their territories are so large, it is hard for them to be everywhere at once. the medium sized, blue-morph males defend smaller harems in smaller territories that are easier to guard and protect. they cannot win against a larger male, but fewer females are easier to keep track of. yellow-morphs are the smallest male lizards, and resemble females. they do not maintain territories or harems, however their resemblance to females allows them to infiltrate the harems of larger males and mate with females while remaining unnoticed. under what conditions could we say that speciation had occurred in uta stansburiana? a when scientists agree to name them as a new species b when the color morphs can no longer breed with each other c when the color morphs look completely different from each other d when the color morphs migrate to ranges that do not overlap with each other

Explanation:

Speciation occurs when populations can no longer interbreed (reproductively isolated). Option B states when color morphs can no longer breed with each other, which fits reproductive isolation (a key condition for speciation). Option A is incorrect as species designation isn’t about scientists’ agreement. Option C (different appearance) doesn’t mean reproductive isolation. Option D (migrating to non - overlapping ranges) is allopatric speciation potential, but the question’s context (color morphs in the same area initially) and the core of speciation is reproductive isolation (Option B is more direct about breeding inability).

Answer:

B. when the color morphs can no longer breed with each other