[Campbell Biology P.562] Which of the following statements accurately differentiates allopat... | Practice Question
Which of the following statements accurately differentiates allopatric speciation from sympatric speciation based on the provided text?
A: Allopatric speciation involves the formation of biological reproductive barriers, whereas sympatric speciation is solely due to physical separation.
B: Allopatric speciation occurs when populations are geographically separated, leading to reproductive isolation, whereas sympatric speciation occurs in populations that live in the same geographic area, with gene flow reduced by factors like polyploidy.
C: Sympatric speciation is more common than allopatric speciation because gene flow is maintained between the diverging populations.
D: Both allopatric and sympatric speciation rely solely on biological reproductive barriers to prevent interbreeding.
Explanation
The text states that allopatric speciation involves populations becoming geographically isolated, leading to reproductive isolation. In contrast, sympatric speciation occurs in populations that live in the same geographic area, with gene flow reduced by factors such as polyploidy, sexual selection, and habitat differentiation.