A virgin pine forest covers a valley,and one of the inhabitants is a red squirrel species.A large volcanic eruption occurs and separates the valley with a huge lava flow that the squirrels cannot cross,thus producing two isolated populations of squirrels.What change needs to occur for the two populations of squirrels to become separate species?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most important factor for populations to become separate species is reproductive isolation. This means that the two populations cannot interbreed or produce viable offspring. In this scenario, the lava flow creates a physical barrier that prevents the squirrels from crossing and mating with squirrels from the other population. Over time, if the two populations continue to evolve separately and become genetically different, they may not be able to interbreed even if the physical barrier is removed. This is an example of allopatric speciation, where geographic isolation leads to the formation of new species. The other options (A, B, C, and D) may contribute to differences between the populations, but they are not sufficient for the populations to become separate species.

A Virgin Pine Forest Covers a Valley,and One of the Inhabitants