Question

On a large volcanic island, researchers are studying a population of annual herbaceous plants. Which of the following observations best supports the prediction that speciation will occur within the existing plant population?(A) Individuals of the species sometimes reproduce asexually by producing runners. (B) Lava has separated the population into two areas: an upland forest and a lowland marsh. (C) Multiple groups of birds depend on the fruit produced by the plants as a source of food. (D) The plants produce more seeds during warm summers than they do during cool summers.

Answer 1

Answer:

(B) Lava has separated the population into two areas: an upland forest and a lowland marsh.

Explanation:

In allopatric speciation, individuals of an ancestral species may undergo evolution into two or more progeny species which arises when physical separation causes a geographic boundary, this barrier can be in the form of a mountain range, rockslide, river or lava.

As in this scenario, a lava flow divides the populations of annual herbaceous plants by altering the landscape. This will cause genetic divergence with varying heritable features among its many generations favouring different traits in the separate environment along with genetic drift. The Lava will separates the population into two areas: an upland forest and a lowland marsh.