Evolutionary models demonstrate that phylogenetic splits in *Xerus* often correlate with what type of event?
Answer
Significant environmental changes creating geographical barriers
The pattern observed in the evolutionary history of *Xerus* strongly suggests that speciation and diversification events are closely timed with major fluctuations in the environment. Specifically, when climatic shifts occur, such as increased aridity, these changes can lead to the physical fragmentation of previously continuous habitats. These resulting geographical barriers interrupt gene flow between populations, leading directly to phylogenetic splits and the evolution of new species or subspecies, illustrating a deep connection between historical biogeography and evolutionary divergence.
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