Evolution Unit: Reproductive Isolation and Patterns

Some female peacocks prefer males with large, colorful tales while other female peacocks prefer males with no tail at all. Females are now mating only with the tail they prefer. What type of reproductive barrier is this?

• behavioral isolation

• hybrid sterility

• temporal isolation

• mechanical isolation

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

NGSS.HS-LS2-8

A flash flood carried a raft of Amazon ants away from their original population. There is enough distance between the two groups, that they will never meet in nature again. What type of reproductive barrier is this?

• behavioral isolation
• temporal isolation 
• gametic isolation
• geographic isolation 

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

Which of the following must occur for speciation to happen?

• geographic isolation
• reproductive isolation
• temporal isolation
• behavioral isolation

Gentoo penguins will present a mate with a pebble that they find to attract a mate. Emperor penguins have a specific call and movement that they make to attract a mate. Which type of isolation do these penguins demonstrate?

• temporal isolation 
• behavioral isolation
• geographical isolation
• anatomical isolation

In the Great Lakes region of North America, gray wolves and coyotes are similar species but do not mate because their breeding periods occur at different times of the year.

• Geographic isolation

• Behavioral isolation

• Temporal isolation

The females of two species of fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila simulans release slightly different mating hormones called pheromones, which are used to attract male mates.

• Geographic isolation

• Behavioral isolation

• Temporal isolation

The flashing pattern of the firefly (Lampyridae) is used to attract the opposite sex. Female fireflies only flash back and attract male fireflies who first signal them with a species-specific pattern of light.

• Geographic isolation

• Behavioral isolation

• Temporal isolation

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-8

The American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) and Fowler's toad (Bufo fowleri) live in the same area. However, The American toad mates in early summer while Fowler’s mates in late summer.

• Geographic isolation

• Behavioral isolation

• Temporal isolation

Albert’s squirrel and the Kaibab squirrel are distinct subspecies that live on opposite sides of the Grand Canyon. They were once one species, but now differ significantly, including fur coloring.

• Geographic isolation

• Behavioral isolation

• Temporal isolation

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

Tradescantia ohiensis, a plant also known as bluejacket and its relative, T. subaspera have similar reproductive mechanisms but do not mate, as one species lives in sun while the other lives in shade.

• Geographic isolation

• Behavioral isolation

• Temporal isolation