How does continental drift affect speciation?

• A. Climate change associated with mountain building and plates moving to different latitudes creates new niches for some organisms and wipes out other organisms.
• B. The breaking apart of landmasses or the change in configuration of ocean basins promotes allopatric speciation.
• C. The closing of an ocean basin represents an enormous loss of habitat that can wipe out some species.
• D. The joining of previously separated habitats may produce a hybrid zone or establish competition among previously isolated populations.
• E. All of the listed responses are correct.

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of continental drift: Continental drift refers to the movement of Earth's continents relative to each other. This movement is driven by plate tectonics, which can lead to significant geological changes over time.
2. Explore how continental drift creates new niches: As continents move, they can change the climate and geography of regions, leading to the formation of new ecological niches. These changes can provide opportunities for organisms to adapt to new environments, promoting speciation.
3. Examine allopatric speciation due to landmass separation: When landmasses break apart, populations of organisms can become geographically isolated. This isolation can lead to allopatric speciation, where new species evolve due to the lack of gene flow between separated populations.
4. Consider the impact of ocean basin changes: The closing of ocean basins can lead to habitat loss, which may result in the extinction of species that cannot adapt to new conditions. This can also drive speciation as surviving species adapt to the altered environment.
5. Analyze the effects of habitat joining: When previously separated habitats are joined, it can lead to the formation of hybrid zones where different species meet and interbreed. Additionally, competition among previously isolated populations can drive evolutionary changes and speciation.