Prezygotic and postzygotic barriers that prevent gene exchange between species.
Prezygotic barriers: habitat, temporal, behavioural, mechanical and gametic isolation. Postzygotic barriers: reduced hybrid viability, reduced fertility (mules) and hybrid breakdown.
Barriers reinforce speciation by preventing gene flow.
Prezygotic and postzygotic barriers that prevent gene exchange between species.
Reproductive Isolation is one of the 53 topics in Evolution. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Sympatric Speciation, Speciation Genomics, Speciation.
Different mating songs keep related cricket and frog species apart.
Work through the Beginner topics in Evolution first, such as Evolution, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, then return to Reproductive Isolation. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Reproductive Isolation are Sympatric Speciation, Speciation Genomics, Speciation, Divergent Evolution. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Reproductive Isolation. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
Reproductive Isolation: Prezygotic and postzygotic barriers that prevent gene exchange between species. Sympatric Speciation: New species arising within the same area, often through polyploidy or ecological specialisation. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Sympatric Speciation and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
New species arising within the same area, often through polyploidy or ecological specialisation.
🦎 EvolutionGenome-wide analysis that identifies the loci and islands of divergence responsible for reproductive isolation.
🦎 EvolutionThe formation of new species when populations diverge enough to become reproductively isolated.
🦎 EvolutionRelated species become increasingly different as they adapt to separate environments.
🦎 Evolution