If an overlap develops between the ranges of two closely related species, and if the species occupy the same niche in the zone of overlap, what will probably happen in the zone of overlap? if an overlap develops between the ranges of two closely related species, and if the species occupy the same niche in the zone of overlap, what will probably happen in the zone of overlap? a. a new species will arise by hybridization. b. one species will take over most or all of the zone of overlap. c. both species will coexist, provided the environment in the zone of overlap is similar to that of one of the individual ranges. d. both species will coexist, provided the environment in the zone of overlap is different from that in either individual range.