Two species of squirrels live on either side of the Grand Canyon. It is believed that a long time ago, before being separated by the canyon, they were the same species. This is an example of
A) hybrid inviability.
B) behavioral isolation.
C) temporal isolation.
D) mechanical isolation.
E) allopatric speciation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Allopatric speciation occurs when populations of a species become geographically isolated from each other to an extent that prevents or interferes with genetic interchange. Over time, these isolated populations can evolve independently, leading to the emergence of new species. The scenario with the squirrels separated by the Grand Canyon is a classic example of allopatric speciation, where the physical barrier of the canyon has led to the divergence of the squirrel populations into two distinct species.

Two Species of Squirrels Live on Either Side of the Grand