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Two sub-populations of squirrel are descendants of an original population that was divided when the Colorado River formed the Grand Canyon - Scottish Highers Biology - Question 5 - 2022
Question 5
Two sub-populations of squirrel are descendants of an original population that was divided when the Colorado River formed the Grand Canyon. (a) (i) Name the type of... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Two sub-populations of squirrel are descendants of an original population that was divided when the Colorado River formed the Grand Canyon - Scottish Highers Biology - Question 5 - 2022
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Explain how the presence of the barrier could lead to the evolution of two new species of squirrel.
Answer
The presence of the geographical barrier prevents gene flow and interbreeding between the two populations of squirrels. As a result, each population may undergo different mutations and natural selection processes, which can lead to distinct evolutionary paths. Over time, these changes can accumulate, ultimately resulting in the emergence of two new species.
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Suggest why the formation of the Grand Canyon is more likely to lead to speciation in ground animals than birds.
Answer
Ground animals are more likely to be affected by the physical barrier of the Grand Canyon, as they cannot fly across it. In contrast, birds can easily fly over such barriers, allowing for continued gene flow and interbreeding, which reduces the likelihood of speciation.
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