Two species of frogs belonging to the same genus occasionally mate, but the offspring fail to develop and hatch. What is the mechanism for keeping the two frog species separate?
A) the postzygotic barrier called hybrid inviability
B) the postzygotic barrier called hybrid breakdown
C) the prezygotic barrier called hybrid sterility
D) gametic isolation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the offspring of the two frog species fail to develop and hatch is a clear indication of hybrid inviability, a postzygotic barrier that prevents the formation of viable offspring from two different species. This mechanism helps keep the two species separate by reducing or eliminating gene flow between them. The other options are not applicable in this case because they refer to different forms of reproductive isolation. Hybrid breakdown refers to the reduced fitness or viability of successive generations of hybrids, while hybrid sterility refers to the inability of hybrids to reproduce. Gametic isolation refers to a prezygotic barrier that prevents successful fertilization due to incompatible gametes.

Two Species of Frogs Belonging to the Same Genus Occasionally