Geographical separation over evolutionary timescales results in what ecological phenomenon within the Xingu basin?
Answer
Endemism
When populations of organisms within a specific geographical area, such as the Xingu basin, become separated and experience reduced or nonexistent gene flow with outside populations over extended evolutionary periods, they are subject only to natural selection dictated by local environmental pressures. This sustained process, where isolation drives divergence tailored to local conditions, results in the creation of species that are unique to that locale. This specific result of geographical separation, where species are found only in that location, is scientifically termed endemism, highlighting the Xingu's significance as an evolutionary cradle.
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