Which of the following is a form of speciation that does NOT require geographic isolation?

Sympatric speciation is a form of speciation that occurs without geographic isolation. This process typically happens in the same geographic area, where new species arise from a single ancestral species while inhabiting the same environment. Sympatric speciation often involves mechanisms such as polyploidy, sexual selection, or ecological niche differentiation, which can drive reproductive isolation even when populations are not physically separated.

This concept is fundamental in understanding how species can diversify in overlapping habitats, demonstrating that ecological factors and behavioral changes can also play a significant role in the evolution of new species. In contrast, other forms of speciation, such as allopatric, peripatric, and vicariant speciation, involve geographic separation as a crucial factor leading to the formation of new species.