What process is most likely responsible for the formation of five distinct frog species living in separate habitats along the Mississippi River?

The formation of five distinct frog species living in separate habitats along the Mississippi River can be attributed to geographic isolation. This process occurs when populations of a species become separated by physical barriers, such as rivers, mountains, or distance, preventing them from interbreeding. Over time, the separated populations may evolve independently due to differing environmental pressures and selective forces present in their respective habitats.

In this scenario, the Mississippi River serves as a significant barrier that could lead to the isolation of frog populations on either side. As these populations adapt to their unique environments—such as variations in temperature, moisture, food sources, and predation—they can undergo genetic changes, eventually leading to speciation. This is a fundamental concept in evolution, highlighting how physical separation can contribute to the diversity of life forms found in different habitats.

In contrast, natural selection refers to the process whereby certain traits become more or less common in a population due to their effects on the survival and reproduction of individuals. Genetic drift involves random changes in allele frequencies over time in a population, which can impact small, isolated groups but is less likely the primary mechanism here. Hybridization is the interbreeding between species, which does not fit well with the context of separated habitats leading to distinct species.