Question

Match the type of reproductive isolation with the example that describes it. Some types of isolation do not have a matching example.
a. Gametic isolation
b. Mechanical isolation
c. Hybrid sterility
d. Zygote death
e. Hybrid performance
f. Ecological isolation
g. Behavioral isolation


1. Two lizards from different islands mate together to produce offspring with patchy scales that dehydrate very quickly.
2. A coral egg fertilized by the sperm of another coral does not reach the larval stage.
3. During mass spawning events, multiple species of coral release sperm and eggs that cannot fuse.
4. One coral spawns in the morning and the other spawns in the evening.
5. Lizards on different islands attract mates with up-and-down head bobs or side-to- side head bobs.

Answer 1

Answer:

1. e. Hybrid performance

2. d. Zygote death

3. a. Gametic isolation

4. f. Ecological isolation

5. g. Behavioral isolation

Explanation:

Hybrid performance is a postzygotic isolation mechanism associated with the ability to produce hybrid offspring, which are adaptively less fit than their progenitors (for example, in this case, hydric stress is a limiting factor for the viability of the hybrids). Zygote death is another postzygotic barrier where the zygote parents' genes fight one another and thus impair the development of the hybrid zygote, causing its death. Gametic isolation is a prezygotic isolation mechanism associated with the incompatibility between female and male gametes (i.e., egg and sperm in animals), which join to form a viable zygote. Ecological isolation, also known as habitat isolation, is a reproductive prezygotic barrier caused by the separation of organisms because they live in different areas or have different ecological/ environmental requirements. Finally, behavioral is another prezygotic barrier where closely related species have different mating rituals. Behavioral isolation is a common practice in many species of invertebrates (such as, for example, arachnids).