Q.35 Match List-I with List-II
| List-I (Species) | List-II (Identifying Characters of species) |
|---|---|
| (A) Allopatric species | (I) Species inhabiting the same geographical area |
| (B) Sympatric species | (II) Species inhabiting different geographical areas |
| (C) Sibling species | (III) Species occupying separate areas that share a common boundary |
| (D) Parapatric species | (IV) Species which are morphologically identical but reproductively isolated |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
- (A) – (II), (B) – (I), (C) – (IV), (D) – (III)
- (A) – (I), (B) – (II), (C) – (III), (D) – (IV)
- (A) – (I), (B) – (III), (C) – (IV), (D) – (II)
- (A) – (II), (B) – (IV), (C) – (I), (D) – (III)
Solving the MCQ: Matching Species Types with Identifying Characters
This GATE Life Sciences question tests speciation concepts: allopatric, sympatric, sibling, and parapatric species. These terms describe geographical overlap/isolation and reproductive barriers. Correct matching hinges on definitions—geographic separation vs. overlap, plus morphological/reproductive traits.
Definitions for Matching
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Allopatric species (A): Populations in different geographical areas, isolated by barriers (e.g., mountains), preventing gene flow.
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Sympatric species (B): Populations in the same geographical area, diverging via reproductive isolation without physical barriers.
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Sibling species (C): Morphologically identical but reproductively isolated (look alike, can’t interbreed).
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Parapatric species (D): Populations in separate areas sharing a common boundary (adjacent, partial gene flow at edges).
List-II Matches
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(I) Species inhabiting the same geographical area → Sympatric (B).
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(II) Species inhabiting different geographical areas → Allopatric (A).
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(III) Species occupying separate areas that share a common boundary → Parapatric (D).
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(IV) Species which are morphologically identical but reproductively isolated → Sibling (C).
Option Analysis
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Option 1: (A)–(II), (B)–(I), (C)–(IV), (D)–(III)
Allopatric-different areas (correct); Sympatric-same area (correct); Sibling-morphologically identical/reproductively isolated (correct); Parapatric-adjacent areas (correct). Fully correct. -
Option 2: (A)–(I), (B)–(II), (C)–(III), (D)–(IV)
Swaps allopatric/sympatric (wrong); sibling-parapatric mismatch. -
Option 3: (A)–(I), (B)–(III), (C)–(IV), (D)–(II)
Allopatric-same area (wrong); sympatric-adjacent (wrong). -
Option 4: (A)–(II), (B)–(IV), (C)–(I), (D)–(III)
Sympatric-morphologically identical (wrong); sibling-same area (wrong).
Correct Answer: Option 1.
Allopatric sympatric sibling parapatric species matching is a high-yield topic for GATE Life Sciences, testing evolutionary biology definitions. List-I (species types) pairs with List-II (geographical/reproductive characters): allopatric-different areas, sympatric-same area, sibling-morphologically identical but isolated, parapatric-adjacent boundaries. This guide solves the MCQ, analyzes options, and boosts exam prep.
Core Definitions: Species Types Explained
Understand geographical context and isolation:
Species Type Key Character Example Allopatric Different geographical areas (no gene flow) Darwin’s finches (islands) Sympatric Same geographical area (reproductive barriers) Apple/m hawthorn flies Sibling Morphologically identical, reproductively isolated Anopheles mosquitoes Parapatric Separate areas with shared boundary (edge hybridization) Littorina snails (shorelines) These drive speciation modes without/with barriers.
MCQ Solution: Correct Matching
Question matches List-I to List-II. Only one option fits perfectly:
Option A B C D Correct? 1 (II) (I) (IV) (III) Yes 2 (I) (II) (III) (IV) No 3 (I) (III) (IV) (II) No 4 (II) (IV) (I) (III) No Allopatric (II), sympatric (I), sibling (IV), parapatric (III) is the gold standard.
GATE Exam Strategy
Traps: Confusing sympatric (overlap) with sibling (looks). Memorize: Allopatric = apart; Sympatric = together; Parapatric = para(next to); Sibling = cryptic isolation. Links to reproductive isolation types.
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