Female blue-footed boobies of the Galápagos Islands will mate only after a specific courtship display on the part of the male. The male high -steps to advertise his bright blue feet. What mechanism describes why the females do not mate with other species of boobies?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Behavioral isolation is the mechanism that describes why female blue-footed boobies do not mate with other species of boobies. This is because the specific courtship display, including the high-stepping to advertise bright blue feet, is a behavior unique to male blue-footed boobies that females require before mating. Other species do not perform this specific behavior, thus preventing interbreeding.

Female Blue-Footed Boobies of the Galápagos Islands Will Mate Only