Lord Howe Island is a volcanic island in the Tasman Sea that is about 11km long and 2.8 km wide. The island has two species of palm trees. Howea forsteriana and the more abundant Howea belmoreana. The two species do not interbreed even when they grow very close to each other. Which evolutionary process most likely led to the creation of two species that can survive, reproduce,and pass on their specific traits? Genetic drift of Howea forsteriana Natural selection of adaptive traits in both species Gene flow between the two species Mutation in Howea beimoreana

The correct answer is: Natural selection of adaptive traits in both species.<br /><br />Natural selection is the evolutionary process that most likely led to the creation of two species that can survive, reproduce, and pass on their specific traits. In this case, the two species of palm trees, Howea forsteriana and Howea belmoreana, have evolved separately and do not interbreed even when they grow close to each other. This suggests that natural selection has favored different adaptive traits in each species, leading to their divergence and the formation of two distinct species.