Explain sympatric speciation and provide an example of a non-geographic barrier that can drive it.

• A. Speciation occurs within the same geographic area; barriers include polyploidy in plants or niche differentiation leading to assortative mating
• B. Speciation occurs due to a predator introducing selection pressure
• C. Speciation occurs when a physical barrier like a river prevents gene flow
• D. Species diverge because of different mating seasons in different areas

Answer: (A)