Question

Explain why scientists believe the Abert’s and Kaibab squirrels are examples of speciation.

Answer 1

The Abert’s squirrel is found on the south rim of the grand canyon and surrounding states.The Kaibab squirrel can only be found at the north rim of the canyon.Scientists believe they were separated by plateau erosion that separated the forests of the Grand Canyon, isolating the Kaibab population of squirrels.

Answer 2

Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti) are a North American species, found across a range of locations. Kaibab squirrels (Sciurus aberti kaibabensis) are a subspecies of Abert's squirrels, found only in one area in the United States. As these two types of squirrels have been isolated from one another for 10,000 years, they've evolved some distinct and separate characteristics.