What Can Result in Speciation Within a Few Generations

Question

What can result in speciation within a few generations?  
A) Development of a physical barrier
B) Polyploidy arising in a plant species
C) Postzygotic isolating mechanisms
D) Change in environmental conditions
E) The introduction of a new predator into an area

Accepted Answer

Polyploidy arising in a plant species can result in speciation within a few generations as it results in a reproductive barrier between the new polyploid species and its parent species. Polyploidy is the phenomenon of having more than two sets of chromosomes, which cannot interbreed with the parent species having a different chromosome number. This leads to rapid speciation within a few generations.

Answer: C
 Postzygotic isolating mechanisms can also result in speciation within few generations, as it involves the formation of a reproductive barrier after fertilization. If the hybrid offspring resulting from interbreeding of individuals from two different species have reduced fitness or are sterile, it can lead to the formation of a new species within a few generations.

Answer: D
 Change in environmental conditions can influence the selection pressure on a population, leading to rapid adaptation and evolution, which can result in speciation within a few generations. For example, if a population is split into different ecological niches due to environmental change, natural selection may favor different traits in each group, leading to divergence and eventual speciation.

Therefore, choices B, C, and D can result in speciation within a few generations.