Two species occupying same or overlapping area are called

Options

A. Sympatric
B. Allopatric
C. Parapatric
D. Ring species

Answer

To answer the question "Two species occupying same or overlapping area are called," we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Terminology
We need to understand the different terms related to species distribution. The terms we are considering are:
- Sympatric
- Allopatric
- Parapatric
- Ring species

### Step 2: Define Each Term
1. **Sympatric**: This refers to species that occupy the same or overlapping geographic areas. They live in the same habitat and can potentially interact with each other.
2. **Allopatric**: This refers to species that are geographically separated and do not overlap in their habitats. They live in different areas.
3. **Parapatric**: This refers to species that are partially overlapping in their geographic distribution but are still distinct. They may have a narrow zone of contact.
4. **Ring species**: This is a special case where a species is distributed in a ring-like manner around a geographic barrier, with populations that can interbreed in some areas but not in others.

### Step 3: Identify the Correct Answer
Since the question specifically asks for species that occupy the same or overlapping area, the correct term is **sympatric**. This is because sympatric species share the same habitat and can interact with one another.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Thus, the answer to the question is that two species occupying the same or overlapping area are called **sympatric**.

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