The Distribution of a Subspecies of Salamanders Ensatina Eschscholtzii,is Known

Question

The distribution of a subspecies of salamanders Ensatina eschscholtzii,is known as ________.
A) An island endemic
B) A sympatric species
C) A ring species
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

The distribution of Ensatina eschscholtzii is known as a ring species. This is because the populations around the central valley of California form a circular pattern, with each population being able to interbreed with adjacent populations but not with those on the opposite side of the ring. This creates a continuum of genetic variation around the ring, but the two ends of the ring are reproductively isolated subspecies.