Isolating Mechanisms
This is when different breeds do not interbreed
Reproductive Isolation:
- When the members of two populations cannot interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
- Can develop in a number of ways. Behavioral isolation, Geographical isolation, and Temporal isolation.
They are not interbreeding with one another
Behavioral Isolation
These birds could interbreed but they don't because they have different mating songs.
- Occurs when two populations are capable to interbreed but have differences in courtship rituals.
Fireflies produce patterns of light flashes that only attract their species
Geographical Isolation
These two species were separated by the Colorado river, created two separate gene pools, making their fur different colors
- Two populations are separated by geographical barriers
- Such as rivers, mountains, or bodies of water
Example of what a geographical barrier looks like
Temporal Isolation
They breed at different times
- Two or more species reproduce at different times
- One species can produce in the spring and another similar species could in the winter
Examples