Will give ! : )

the formation of the canyon acted as a barrier that prevented any mating between the separated populations. this is an example of which stage of speciation?

a) the populations became adapted to different environments and eventually become so different that they cannot interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

b) the populations successfully interbreed.

c) the populations become totally separated from one another.

d) the populations are isolated and thus do not interbreed.

Speciation occurs when a group within a population of the species get separated from other members and develops unique characteristics. This happens due to the demands of the different environment or the characteristics of the members differentiate offsprings from the rest of the members. the new species gets differentiated from the ancestors on the basis of genetic characteristics.

The formation of  the canyon acted as a barrier that prevented any mating between the separated populations. Here,  canyon is acting as a physical barrier. Therefore, it is an example of allopatric speciation. This is an example of A stage of speciation . The populations became adapted to different environments and eventually become so different that they cannot interbreed to produce fertile offspring. As, each species develops differently based on the habitat they are residing and genetic characteristics of the members of the group that are also passed into the offsprings as a result of this genetic changes results in the offsprings.