In a hypothetical situation, a certain species of flea feeds only on pronghorn antelopes. In the western United States, pronghorns and cattle often associate with one another in the same open rangeland. Some of these fleas develop a strong preference for cattle blood and mate only with other fleas that prefer cattle blood. The host mammal can be considered as the fleas' habitat. If this situation persists, and new species evolve, this would be an example of ________.
A) sympatric speciation and habitat isolation
B) sympatric speciation and temporal isolation
C) allopatric speciation and habitat isolation
D) allopatric speciation and gametic isolation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of sympatric speciation, where species evolve from a common ancestor in the same geographic area. The speciation is driven by habitat isolation, as the fleas that prefer cattle blood are adapting to a different host habitat than the fleas that prefer pronghorn antelope blood.

In a Hypothetical Situation, a Certain Species of Flea Feeds