Question

Reproductive isolation between segments of a single population is termed as

• A. Sympatry
• B. Allopatry
• C. Population divergence
• D. Disruptive divergence

Answer 1

The correct option is A Sympatry

The process of splitting a genetically homogeneous population into two or more populations that undergo genetic differentiation and eventual reproductive isolation is called speciation.

When an environmental change may produce selection pressure that favours two extreme characteristics, disruptive or diverging selection occurs.

Allopatry is the geographical isolation between related species and it gives rise to allopatric speciation which leads to the formation of new species. Example - Darwin's finches that formed separate species in the Galapagos islands.

Sometimes, selection may produce ecotypes living in adjacent habitats in the same geographic area and this is called as sympatry.

Sympatry gives rise to Sympatric speciation. It is the formation of species within a single population by reproductive isolation or without geographical isolation. Example- Fish in the same lake or insects living on different species of food plants in the same habitat.

Hence, sympatry is the reproductive isolation between segments of a single population.

So, the correct answer is 'Sympatry'