Question

Step 4: (Write a CER or R.A.C.E.S) 3-5 Sentences.Look at the salamander information above and think about how these subspecies might have come from the same ancestor (from the North). As salamanders moved south around the Central Valley, their environments changed. Explain step by step how these subspecies could have developed over time as they spread into different areas and eventually reached the southern region.

Answer 1

Claim: The different subspecies of salamanders likely evolved from a common ancestor as they migrated southward from the North, adapting to diverse environments along the way.

Evidence: As they moved into the Central Valley, variations in climate, vegetation, and available food sources would have created distinct selective pressures. For example, some salamanders may have adapted to wetter environments by developing features that enable better moisture retention or reproductive strategies suited for different breeding times.

Reasoning: Over generations, these adaptations would lead to the accumulation of genetic differences, eventually resulting in the emergence of subspecies that are better suited to their specific habitats in the southern region. This process, known as adaptive radiation, illustrates how geographic isolation and environmental changes can drive evolution, resulting in the diverse subspecies we observe today.