Question

all of these are examples of random evolutionary processes except
a.
an earthquake divides a single elk species into two populations, forcing them to no longer interbreed.

b.
a mutation in a flower plant results in a new variety.

c.
an especially long winter causes a group of migrating birds to shift their home range.

d.
a mutation results in a population of trees that spread their seeds more widely than their peers, causing their population to grow.

Explanation:

随机进化过程（如遗传漂变、突变、基因流等）无方向，而自然选择是定向的。选项A是地理隔离（随机事件），选项B是突变（随机），选项C是环境随机变化导致的迁徙（随机），选项D中树木因突变能更广泛传播种子而种群增长，这是自然选择（定向，优势性状被保留），不属于随机进化过程。

Answer:

D. a mutation results in a population of trees that spread their seeds more widely than their peers, causing their population to grow.