Question

in a particular region, a species of lizard lives in the lowlands. even though there are numerous mountains in the region, the climate on the mountains is too cold for the lizards to survive. scientists are concerned that the lowlands will become much warmer by the end of the twenty - first century and will become unsuitable for this lowland lizard species. which of the following best predicts the impact on the lizard species if there is a gradual increase in the average temperatures found in both the lowlands and mountains in this region? a some lizards will migrate to new habitats in the mountains and become isolated, leading to allopatric speciation. b the species will undergo artificial selection, as the genes will adapt to warmer temperatures. c the species will experience a genetic bottleneck, and sympatric speciation will result in the development of several new species. d the lizards will hybridize with a different lizard species that is adapted to a warmer environment, leading to increased genetic variation in the species.

Explanation:

• Option A: As temperatures in lowlands warm and mountains also warm (becoming suitable), some lizards may migrate to mountains. Geographic isolation (allopatric) can lead to speciation as populations adapt to new environments.
• Option B: Artificial selection is human - driven, not natural temperature change, so this is incorrect.
• Option C: A genetic bottleneck is a drastic reduction in population size, not directly related to this temperature - driven migration. Sympatric speciation occurs in the same area, but here migration to mountains (different area) is involved, so this is wrong.
• Option D: There's no indication of another lizard species adapted to warmer environments for hybridization, so this is not supported.

Answer:

A. Some lizards will migrate to new habitats in the mountains and become isolated, leading to allopatric speciation.