Which evolutionary concept explains the development of new species from a common ancestor due to geographic isolation?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
Which evolutionary concept explains the development of new species from a common ancestor due to geographic isolation?
Allopatric speciation
Sympatric speciation
Parapatric speciation
Adaptive radiation
Allopatric speciation occurs when new species develop from a common ancestor due to geographic isolation, leading to reproductive isolation.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: Which evolutionary concept explains the development of new species from a common ancestor due to geographic isolation?
Solution: Allopatric speciation occurs when new species develop from a common ancestor due to geographic isolation, leading to reproductive isolation.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Understand that species are groups of living organisms that can reproduce with each other.
Step 2: Learn that a common ancestor is an earlier species from which new species evolve.
Step 3: Recognize that geographic isolation happens when a physical barrier (like mountains or rivers) separates a group of organisms.
Step 4: Realize that when groups are separated, they can evolve differently over time due to different environments and conditions.
Step 5: Understand that this can lead to reproductive isolation, meaning the separated groups can no longer interbreed even if they come back together.
Step 6: Conclude that this process of new species forming from a common ancestor due to geographic isolation is called allopatric speciation.
