reproductive isolation

(noun)

a collection of mechanisms, behaviors, and physiological processes that prevent two different species that mate from producing offspring, or which ensure that any offspring produced is not fertile

Related Terms

  • hybrid sterility
  • prezygotic barrier
  • hybrid inviability
  • temporal isolation
  • postzygotic barrier
  • behavioral isolation

Examples of reproductive isolation in the following topics:

  • Reproductive Isolation

    • Reproductive isolation, through mechanical, behavioral, and physiological barriers, is an important component of speciation.
    • Scientists classify reproductive isolation in two groups: prezygotic barriers and postzygotic barriers.
    • Differences in breeding schedules, called temporal isolation, can act as a form of reproductive isolation.
    • These two related frog species exhibit temporal reproductive isolation.
    • Reproductive organ incompatibility keeps the species reproductively isolated.
  • Hybrid Zones

    • Over time, two species may further diverge or reconnect, depending on the fitness strength and the reproductive barriers of the hybrids.
    • Over time, the hybrid zone may change depending on the fitness strength and the reproductive barriers of the hybrids .
    • If the hybrids are as fit or more fit than the parents, or the reproductive barriers weaken, the two species may fuse back into one species (reconnection).
    • Reproductive isolation between hybrids and their parents was once thought to be particularly difficult to achieve; thus, hybrid species were thought to be extremely rare.
    • Reinforcement, fusion, or stability may result, depending on reproductive barriers and the relative fitness of the hybrids.
  • Sympatric Speciation

    • Scientists have identified two main types of polyploidy that can lead to reproductive isolation, or the inability to interbreed with normal individuals, of an individual in the polyploidy state.
    • Notice how it takes two generations, or two reproductive acts, before the viable fertile hybrid results.
  • Types of Sexual and Asexual Reproduction

    • Asexual and sexual reproduction, two methods of reproduction among animals, produce offspring that are clones or genetically unique.
    • The queen bee controls the reproduction of the hive bees to regulate the type of bee produced.
    • Two Komodo dragons, a bonnethead shark, and a blacktip shark have produced parthenogenic young when the females have been isolated from males.
    • Sexual reproduction produces offspring with novel combinations of genes.
    • Hermaphroditism occurs in animals where one individual has both male and female reproductive parts.
  • Primary and Secondary Metabolites

    • These metabolites can be used in industrial microbiology to obtain amino acids, develop vaccines and antibiotics, and isolate chemicals necessary for organic synthesis.
    • Primary metabolites are involved in growth, development, and reproduction of the organism.
    • Additionally, primary metabolites such as amino acids-- including L-glutamate and L-lysine, which are commonly used as supplements-- are isolated via the mass production of a specific bacterial species, Corynebacteria glutamicum.
    • Secondary metabolites do not play a role in growth, development, and reproduction like primary metabolites do, and are typically formed during the end or near the stationary phase of growth.
    • Describe how primary and secondary metabolites can be used in industrial microbiology to obtain amino acids, develop vaccines and antibiotics, and isolate chemicals for organic synthesis
  • External and Internal Fertilization

    • External and internal fertilization are forms of reproduction that vary in method and embryo development.
    • The release of the reproductive material may be triggered by water temperature or the length of daylight.
    • The embryo is isolated within the female, which limits predation on the young.
  • Methods of Reproducing

    • Most importantly, reproduction is necessary for the survival of a species.
    • The known methods of reproduction are broadly grouped into two main types: sexual and asexual.
    • Organisms that reproduce through asexual reproduction tend to grow in number exponentially.
    • Sexual reproduction ensures a mixing of the gene pool of the species.
    • Female seahorses produce eggs for reproduction that are then fertilized by the male.
  • Plant Reproductive Development and Structure

    • Plants have evolved different reproductive strategies for the continuation of their species.
    • Plant sexual reproduction usually depends on pollinating agents, while asexual reproduction is independent of these agents.
    • Vegetative reproduction is a type of asexual reproduction.
    • The flower is the reproductive organ of plants classified as angiosperms.
    • The basic function of a flower is to produce seeds through sexual reproduction.
  • Social Isolation

    • However, individuals in every society must cope with social isolation.
    • Social isolation refers to a complete or near-complete lack of contact with society.
    • Social isolation is distinct from loneliness.
    • Any individual from any segment of society may be socially isolated, but senior citizens are especially susceptible to the risk factors that may trigger social isolation.
    • This indicates a circularity of social isolation and health: individuals who are already marginalized are not pushed toward healthcare and individuals with quickly deteriorating health are more likely to be socially isolated.
  • DNA Oncogenic Viruses

    • These viruses have varying ways of reproduction and represent several different virus families.
    • A seminal observation was that it was no longer possible to isolate infectious virus from the malignant growth because the virus had become integrated into the chromosomes of the malignant cells.
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