In a hypothetical situation, a certain species of flea feeds only on pronghorn antelopes. In rangelands of the western United States, pronghorns and cattle often associate with one another. If some of these fleas develop a strong preference for cattle blood and mate only with other fleas that prefer cattle blood, then over time which of these should occur, if the host mammal can be considered as the fleas' habitat?
1)reproductive isolation
2)sympatric speciation
3)habitat isolation
4)prezygotic barriers
A) 1 only
B) 2 and 3
C) 1, 2, and 3
D) 2, 3, and 4
E) 1 through 4

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scenario describes a situation where fleas develop a preference for a different host (cattle instead of pronghorns) and mate only among themselves, leading to reproductive isolation (1), which is a prezygotic barrier (4). This situation occurs within the same geographical area (sympatric speciation, 2) without physical separation, but with a behavioral change that leads to a different use of the habitat (the host animal), effectively creating habitat isolation (3).

In a Hypothetical Situation, a Certain Species of Flea Feeds