What speciation concept might explain *B. fernaldae*'s historical distinctness based on geographic separation?
Answer
Allopatric speciation
The study of geographic distribution helps explain how species boundaries arise, often through reproductive isolation. If the older classification emphasized *B. fernaldae* as a distinct entity separate from other populations across different regions, the mechanism most likely responsible for this divergence would be allopatric speciation. This process occurs when populations become geographically separated by environmental or physical barriers, preventing gene flow. Over time, these isolated populations evolve independently based on their unique selection pressures, leading to sufficient differences in morphology, genetics, or behavior to warrant separate species status, even if they later become reclassified.
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