2026 · Paper 1

Complete GATE XL 2026 Paper 1 overview, original pages and practice · Timed previous-paper practice

Questions 100–102 of 122. Imported answers require review unless explicitly marked reviewed.

Question 100

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XL-TMSQ2 marksNeeds review

Two species of snakes, Species P and Species Q, have overlapping geographic distributions. Species P mainly eats rodents, whereas Species Q mainly eats invertebrates. Which one or more of the following terms describe(s) the process of speciation for these two species?

Your answerSelect all correct options. You can choose more than one.

A.

Sympatric speciation

B.

Parapatric speciation

C.

Allopatric speciation

D.

Niche differentiation

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Question 101

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XL-TMSQ2 marksNeeds review

In rivers that range in salinity (ppt) from low to high, researchers find that the aquatic snail species P (solid curve) and Q (dashed curve) were distributed according to the pattern illustrated in figure (i) when the species are together. The researchers then conducted a manipulative experiment in similar rivers with the same salinity range, where they removed either species P or Q. Figure (ii) illustrates the number of individuals of species P and Q when they were allowed to live alone. These snails have no other competitors or predators. Which one or more conclusions can be drawn from these two figures?



Your answerSelect all correct options. You can choose more than one.

A.

Fundamental niche of P is larger than fundamental niche of Q

B.

Fundamental niche of Q is larger than realized niche of Q

C.

Fundamental niche of P is larger than realized niche of P

D.

Fundamental and realized niches of P are the same

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Question 102

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XL-TMSQ2 marksNeeds review

Which of the following statements is/are correct for the phylogenetic tree depicted below?



Your answerSelect all correct options. You can choose more than one.

A.

Species R and Species S are reciprocally monophyletic

B.

Species R is sister to a clade comprised of Species P and Q

C.

Species P and Species Q are reciprocally monophyletic

D.

Species P, Q, R and S share a common ancestor

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