Hello everyone! I'm having a lot of trouble with this question. You're supposed to choose the one answer that is most correct..
A species of squirrel lives in pine forest. A large river runs through the squirrel's habitat forming two large areas of pine forest. The squirrels are unable to swim and consequently only mate with squirrels on the same side. The squirrels from each side of the river look identical to each other. When they are given the opportunity to mate they do so but they are unable to produce any offspring, Which of the following is true?
A. The squirrels have undergone allopatric speciation.
B. The squirrels have undergone sympatic speciation.
C. The squirrels from each side of the river are the same species.
D. There are premating barriers to reproduction between the squirrels from each side of the river.
I'm not sure if the answer is A or D! I think D is correct because there is a premating barrier to reproduction - the big river in the way. However, seeing as they are reproductively isolated, I think they might be considered different species and therefore allopatrically speciated. But the question says they look identical, so do they qualify as having undergone speciation or not? It doesn't help that it begins with "A species of squirrel" which implies there is no speciation. But if they haven't undergone speciation, then C is correct - but maybe it's not the one to choose if it's not the
most correct?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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