Many species of fruit flies feed on fruit produced by fruit trees. A mutation arises in a population of fruit flies that causes its carriers to change their host plant preference from tree species A to a different species of fruit tree (B). These flies complete their whole life cycles on the host tree, from birth to courtship and reproduction to death. If host species A and the host species B occur in the same geographic location, what type of process could potentially lead to speciation between populations of fruit flies with a different host tree preference?

a. Sympatric

b. Peripatric

c. Danicapatricd. Allopatric

Question

Bailey Terry

Biology

23 September, 14:29

Many species of fruit flies feed on fruit produced by fruit trees. A mutation arises in a population of fruit flies that causes its carriers to change their host plant preference from tree species A to a different species of fruit tree (B). These flies complete their whole life cycles on the host tree, from birth to courtship and reproduction to death. If host species A and the host species B occur in the same geographic location, what type of process could potentially lead to speciation between populations of fruit flies with a different host tree preference?

a. Sympatric

b. Peripatric

c. Danicapatricd. Allopatric

+5

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Matteo Stein · Answer 1

Answer: Option A.

Sympatric speciation

Explanation:

Sympatric speciation is a reproductive isolation or evolution of groups of species from the main population in the same geographical location.

The fruit flies changes their host plant to another due to specific characteristics posses by the choice host plant. It is a sympatric speciation because they occur in the same geographical location.