Question
Question 16 (1 point) What is the most likely cause of speciation (ie. one lizard species changing into three)? groups of lizards encountered different environments so the lizards needed to become new species in order to survive groups of lizards must have been geographically isolated and random genetic changes accumulated over time different groups of lizards needed to adapt to different environments, three groups evolved into three unique species there may be minor variations but all lizards are essentially members of the sam species
Solution
4.4
(186 Votes)
Kassandra
Advanced ยท Tutor for 1 years
Answer
The correct answer is: **groups of lizards must have been geographically isolated and random genetic changes accumulated over time.**Here's why:* **Geographic isolation:** This is a crucial factor in speciation. When populations are separated by geographical barriers (mountains, rivers, etc.), they can no longer interbreed. This prevents gene flow between the populations.* **Accumulation of random genetic changes:** Over time, each isolated population will accumulate different random genetic mutations due to natural selection, genetic drift, and other evolutionary processes. These changes can lead to significant differences in traits, eventually making the populations reproductively isolated, even if they were to come into contact again. This reproductive isolation defines them as separate species.The other options are incorrect because:* **Lizards don't actively "need" to become new species.** Speciation is a passive process driven by evolutionary forces, not a conscious decision by the organisms.* While adapting to different environments is a key driver of *divergence* between populations, it's the geographic isolation that prevents gene flow and allows separate species to form. Adaptation itself doesn't directly cause speciation.* The statement that all lizards are essentially the same species is false. There are thousands of different lizard species, demonstrating that speciation has occurred many times in lizard evolutionary history.