Which type of speciation is primarily driven by polyploidy in plants?

Sympatric speciation is primarily driven by polyploidy in plants because it occurs when a new species forms from a population that shares the same geographic area without physical barriers separating them. In plants, polyploidy, which is the condition of having more than two complete sets of chromosomes, can lead to reproductive isolation even among individuals that are living in close proximity. This can happen because polyploid individuals may not be able to successfully reproduce with their diploid ancestors, resulting in a new species that can coexist alongside the original population, but cannot interbreed with it.

Polyploidy is a common mechanism of speciation in plants because it can provide immediate reproductive isolation, allowing a polyploid individual to form a distinct species almost instantaneously. This differs from other forms of speciation, where geographic or environmental barriers typically play a crucial role in the divergence of populations. In summary, sympatric speciation, facilitated by the occurrence of polyploidy, enables plants to evolve separately while still inhabiting the same area, promoting biodiversity within an ecosystem.