Question

In a hypothetical situation, a certain species of flea feeds only on pronghorn antelopes. In rangelands of the western United States, pronghorns and cattle often associate with one another. If some of these fleas develop a strong preference for cattle blood and mate only with other fleas that prefer cattle blood, then over time which of these should occur, if the host mammal can be considered as the fleas' habitat

Answer 1

OPTIONS:

1. reproductive isolation

2. sympatric speciation

3. habitat isolation

4. prezygotic barriers

Answer:

All of the above

Explanation:

First, let us consider the definition of the above listed terms in the question and see each come to play in the hypothetical situation.

Reproductive isolation occurs when two similar species become prevented from mating together as a result of environmental barriers. This can be seen in the flea population, as they become separated by ecological barrier, since some now live on pronghorn antelopes, while others live on cattle.

Sympatric speciation is a speciation that occurs when new species evolved from an ancestor that they share the same geographical region together, but dwell in overlapping different ecological area.For example, fleas that have preference for cattle blood evolved from pronghorn antelopes fleas, as their ancestor. The two species both dwell in overlapping ranges but still in the same rangeland.

Habitat isolation is a barrier that prevents two species from interbreeding as a result of differences in where they live. For example, fleas on cattle cannot interbreed with fleas on pronghorn antelopes.

Prezygotic barriers are reproductive mechanisms that prevent fertilization. Habitat isolation is an example of prezygotic reproductive mechanism that prevents fertilization to take place between fleas on cattle and fleas on pronghorn antelopes.