Question

The Caribbean slipper spurge is a perennial shrub found throughout the Caribbean. Genetic analyses recently revealed that the species originated where Mexico and Guatemala meet, then expanded into the Caribbean following two paths. One path expanded eastward along the Yucatan Peninsula. Another path led first to the south in northern South America and then up into the Caribbean. Where those two paths now cross in the Virgin Islands, there are two morphologically and ecologically distinct forms. This is the first example of a species found in plants. (Select the best answer) ring O allopatric O coevolved border

Answer 1

Answer: The correct answer is option 3 ^rd​​​​​rd, i.e., these are allopatric species. Speciation is a phenomenon by which new species form from the existing ones either due to spatial separation or some other reasons.

The given situation represents allopatric speciation of Carribean slipper spurge, i.e., two species evolved from common ancestor due to a period of geographic separation between the them.

So, the answer is 'allopatric' species.