The Kaibab squirrel lives on the north side of the Grand Canyon, and the Abert squirrel lives on the south side. Even though these two populations are only miles apart, their gene pools are kept isolated by
A) geographic isolation.
B) temporal isolation.
C) mechanical incompatibility.
D) hybrid infertility.
E) ecological isolation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Grand Canyon acts as a physical barrier that prevents the Kaibab and Abert squirrels from interbreeding, which is a classic example of geographic isolation. Geographic isolation occurs when physical barriers prevent members of different populations from mating with each other.

The Kaibab Squirrel Lives on the North Side of the Grand