Question

what would be an example of sympatric speciation?
a a subset of a population of flies that would normally lay eggs on hawthorn trees begins laying eggs on apple trees until the flys breeding period begins to match that of the apple trees fruit maturation period.
b a river separates a population of squirrels so the populations on either side can no longer interbreed.
c a population of frogs located in a pond near a polluting factory begins to develop random mutations.
d all of the above

Explanation:

Sympatric speciation occurs within the same geographical area due to factors like resource - partitioning or behavioral changes. In option a, flies change their egg - laying behavior and breeding period while still in the same area, which is an example of sympatric speciation. Option b is allopatric speciation as a physical barrier (river) separates the population. Option c just mentions mutations without indicating speciation.

Answer:

A. A subset of a population of flies that would normally lay eggs on Hawthorn trees begins laying eggs on apple trees until the fly's breeding period begins to match that of the apple tree's fruit maturation period.