Question

Speciation will not take place due to

• A. Variation in antler size between male and female reindeer
• B. An earthquake that physically separates a population of frog into two separate groups
• C. Divergent evolution
• D. Evolution of a population of cats such that they can no longer mate with their ancestors
• E. A massive flood that separates a population of frogs onto opposite sides of a large lake

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Variation in antler size between male and female reindeer

Geographical isolation (options 2 and E) and physiological incompatibility of interbreeding, due to the accumulation of genetic variations or some other reason (option D), lead to the reproductive isolation of existing population in two separate groups. The reproductive isolation prevents gene flow between these population and accumulation of genetic variations with time makes them incompatible to interbreed when brought together after a long time. This leads to the formation of two species from existing population. Likewise, divergent evolution leads to accumulation of characters that separate existing population into two species. However, antler size variation in male and female reindeer does not affect their ability to interbreed and hence, does not create new species.

Therefore, the correct answer is option A.