Answer to Question #206760 in Evolution for Janilsa Martinez

Question

How might reproductive isolation lead to even stronger reproductive isolation? Create a fictitious example using some of the isolating mechanisms mentioned in this module.

Answer 1

Reproductive isolation prevents two different species that mate from producing offspring.

Fictitious example is the North Canadian purple unicorn wishes to mate with the cute Bigfoot who recently moved into his region of the forest. Preventing this from happening, there are several mechanisms which include the following:

a) Mechanical isolation - due to the difference in the shape, alignment and size of the genitalia between unicorn and the Bigfoot but this mating is highly impossible.

b) Another preventative mechanism is the prancing around by the unicorn does little to move the Bigfoot to his desires to mate, and instead seems like aggressive behavior meant to keep her away. Also the Bigfoot prefers to mate in the winter, but it is currently spring in the Canadian forest region. Even if copulation could occur, chromosomal imbalances between the two species would prevent an offspring, or in a slight chance it did not, the offspring would probably be sterile. Thus, if the degree of reproductive isolation exists between the unicorn and Bigfoot due to negative adaptability of the theoretical hybrid offspring, then the assumption can be made that the populations of the two species living in the same area will show a greater reproductive isolation than those located in different geographical areas.