House finches (birds) occurred only in western North America until 1939, when a few individuals were released in New York City. These individuals established a breeding population and gradually expanded their range. The western population also expanded its range somewhat eastward, and the two populations have recently come in contact. Which of the following terms best describes the process that had occurred if the two forms did not interbreed when their expanding ranges met?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The process described is allopatric speciation, where a species is geographically separated into two populations that evolve independently. When they come into contact again, they may not interbreed due to accumulated differences, indicating speciation has occurred.

House Finches (Birds) Occurred Only in Western North America Until