Answer – Geographic isolation refers to the physical separation of populations of a particular species due to geographic barriers such as mountains, rivers, or oceans.
Explanation:
Geographic isolation is a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, which shapes the distribution and diversity of life on Earth. A well-known instance of geographic isolation is illustrated by the Galápagos finches. Finches inhabiting various islands of the Galápagos underwent separate evolutionary paths, resulting in the emergence of nearly 15 distinct species. These species exhibit diverse physical appearances and rely on different sources of food.
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Geographic isolation can lead to the evolution of new species by preventing gene flow between populations. When populations are isolated from each other by geography, they face environmental pressures, including food availability and predators. Over time, these differences can cause genetic variations between these groups as certain traits become more beneficial in one population than the other. Eventually, this can lead to the development of two distinct species that are unable to interbreed.
