Understanding Sympatric and Allopatric Speciation

Help Questions

AP Biology › Understanding Sympatric and Allopatric Speciation

Questions 1 - 10
1

Peripatric speciation is a subgroup of which of the following types of speciation?

Allopatric

Sympatric

Parapatric

Peripatric

Explanation

Peripatric speciation is a subgroup of allopatric speciation. In instances of peripatric speciation, a small portion of the population becomes genetically isolated from the main population; therefore, it becomes genetically distinct. An example of peripatric speciation is the founder effect.

2

What is required for sympatric speciation to occur?

Emergence of a reproductive barrier

Geographic separation of a population

Continuous gene flow between populations

A limited separation of members of a population, followed by reintroduction back into the parent population

Explanation

Sympatric speciation refers to the evolution of a new species from a parent population without geographic isolation. The divergence into a new species requires the formation of a reproductive barrier that isolates a subset of the population from the rest, thereby blocking gene flow.

The formation of a reproductive barrier can result from polyploidy or natural selection. If a subset of a population chooses to only eat fruit that have fallen from trees while the rest climb the trees to eat, then the subset may eventually evolve different traits. Polyploidy creates a distinct genetic difference between individuals and can lead to difference phenotypes and reproductive barriers.

3

Which of the following is false of sympatric populations?

Sympatric populations diverge due to geographic isolation

Sympatric populations are geographically overlapping

Sympatric populations diverge due to behavioral isolation

Sympatric populations show differences in body structure

Sympatric populations may form hybrids

Explanation

Allopatric literally means “other fatherland,” meaning that populations are geographically separate. Because populations are separate, they may use similar resources and be similar in structure. Allopatric populations come about due to geographic isolation, rather than behavioral isolation. Sympatric means “same fatherland,” meaning that populations are geographically overlapping and diverge due to behavioral isolation. As a result, they may also, show divergence from a common resource and original body structure. Where the two sympatric populations overlap, there is a hybrid zone. The two species may mate and produce hybrid offspring.

4

Which of the following best defines sympatric speciation?

Formation of two distinct species within the same geographic location

Populations diverge due to geographic location

Isolated peripheral populations cease genetic exchange

A population divides into two adjacent niches with contact and minimal genetic exchange

Explanation

In cases of sympatric speciation, two distinct species diverge from the same population within the same geographic location.

5

Which of the following describes how parapatric speciation differs from peripatric speciation?

There can be contact between the two diverging populations in parapatric speciation

There is no contact between the two diverging populations in parapatric speciation

Parapatric speciation and peripatric speciation do not differ

Parapatric speciation is a subgroup of peripatric speciation

Explanation

In parapatric speciation, the two diverging species still have geographic contact but there is selection against genetic exchange due to a heterozygote disadvantage. Parapatric speciation differs from peripatric speciation because there is no contact between diverging populations in peripatric speciation.

6

One species of organisms living in the same valley begin to diverge from each other over time and eventually two distinct species emerge that no longer mate with members of the other group. What type of speciation is this?

Sympatric speciation

Allopatric speciation

Sympathetic speciation

Allosteric speciation

None of these - this is not an example of speciation

Explanation

Sympatric speciation occurs when a species of organisms becomes two different species whilst inhabiting the same area. Geographic barriers do not play a role in their divergence from one another. Allopatric speciation occurs because of a geographical barrier such as a mountain range. Sympathetic is not an evolutionary term and allosteric refers to specific sites on molecules in molecular biology and biochemistry.

7

There was once a population on planet M311, called the Freg, who lived on a planet not unlike Earth. At the height of the Fregs technology and evolution, a collection of asteroids bombarded the planet and the devastation was so great that the planet was split in two, as was the Freg population. Much of the Freg population died, but many still survived on both pieces of M311.

As time progressed following the catastrophe, the genetic structure of the Freg populations began to differ from each other since they were no longer reproducing with each other. What is this process called?

Allopatric speciation

Sympatric speciation

Genetic conversion

Evolutionary segregation

None of these

Explanation

Allopatric speciation is the correct answer. Allopatric speciation is when one species results in two species as a result of environmental barriers. In this instance, the separation of the planet is a physical barrier that leads to the Freg becoming two different species.

8

Which of these animals would be least likely to undergo allopatric speciation?

Bird

E. coli

Raccoon

Snake

Prehistoric human

Explanation

Allopatric speciation occurs when two groups of organisms are separated by a physical or geographic barrier. Common examples of these barriers include mountain ranges, oceans, and even large rivers. The isthmus of Panama is a prime example of a geographical barrier and it separates the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Certain barriers are more easily traversed by some animals than others. For instance, an animal such as a cat is more likely to be corralled by a river than a horse or dog because the latter two are known to swim more often. But a river poses no threat of isolation to a bird. Because of their mode of locomotion birds are least likely to be hindered by a geographical barrier than a snake, raccoon, or even a prehistoric human (modern globalization almost entirely eliminates human's vulnerability to allopatric speciation).

9

Which scenario is an example of allopatric speciation?

A river separates members of a squirrel population that used to occupy the same geographical area

Hawks with thin, sharp beaks primarily eat fish and small rodents, while hawks with larger beaks tend to eat reptiles and larger birds

Certain members of a human population have more offspring than others

A disease ravages a large fox population, killing all members that did not have a genetic resistance to the disease

Houseflies from a certain region migrate and interbreed with a different housefly population in a neighboring area

Explanation

Allopatric speciation occurs when a geographical barrier, like a river, mountain, or canyon, separates members of a population. This barrier prevents the individuals on one side from reproducing with the individuals on the other. In addition, selecting forces may act differently on the two sides of the barrier. This separation eventually results in two distinct species.

Here, the only example of allopatric speciation is that regarding the squirrels separated by the river. The example with the hawks refers to sympatric speciation, where no geographical barrier exists, but speciation can still occur due to other stressors. The remaining choices do not describe speciation at all.

10

Which of the following reasons could explain why sympatric speciation is more common in plants than in animals?

Plants are more likely to be able to self-fertilize

Animal populations move around too much

Plants can become geographically isolated more easily

Plants are less prone to chromosomal abnormalities

Explanation

Sympatric speciation implies a speciation event while the populations exist within the same geographical region.

Animals moving around more often does not really explain why speciation would occur differently, and plants are not necessarily less prone to chromosomal abnormalities. In fact, plants are more likely to be able to reproduce after abnormal chromosomal inheritance (nondisjunction, polyploidy, etc.) because many can self-fertilize. Instead of wandering around to find a mate, the plant can reproduce with itself and potentially create a reproductively isolated species.

Page 1 of 2
Return to subject