Which mechanism can lead to sympatric speciation?

Sympatric speciation occurs when new species arise from a single ancestral species while inhabiting the same geographic region. Temporal isolation is a mechanism that can lead to sympatric speciation because it involves the breeding times of organisms. If groups within a population breed at different times, they may become reproductively isolated even if they live in the same place. Over time, this isolation can lead to divergent evolution and the emergence of new species.

In contrast, geographic isolation, which involves physical barriers separating populations, typically leads to allopatric speciation, as it separates groups entirely and prevents interbreeding. Hybrid zones refer to areas where two distinct species can interbreed, creating hybrid offspring, but do not usually lead to the formation of new species in the same way that temporal isolation does within the same habitat.

Therefore, temporal isolation is crucial in sympatric speciation, as it directly leads to reproductive isolation in overlapping populations.