Speciation

AP Biology· difficulty 2/5

2n 4n parent diploid tetraploid (one event) Reproductively isolated from 2n parent (triploid offspring sterile)

Polyploidy producing immediate reproductive isolation from the parent species exemplifies which mode of speciation?

  • A

    Sympatric speciation (in plants)

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  • B

    Adaptive radiation

  • C

    Allopatric speciation

  • D

    Peripatric speciation

Explanation

Polyploidy can instantly create reproductive isolation within the same geographic area: tetraploids x diploids yield sterile triploids. It is a major mechanism of sympatric speciation, especially in plants.

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