Two closely related populations of mice have been separated for many generations by a river. Climatic change causes the river to dry up, thereby bringing the mice populations back into contact in a zone of overlap. Which of the following is not a possible outcome when they meet?
A) They interbreed freely and produce fertile hybrid offspring.
B) They no longer attempt to interbreed.
C) They interbreed in the region of overlap, producing an inferior hybrid. Subsequent interbreeding between inferior hybrids produces progressively superior hybrids over several generations.
D) They remain separate in the extremes of their ranges but develop a persistent hybrid zone in the area of overlap.
E) They interbreed in the region of overlap, but produce sterile offspring.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option A, B, D, and E are possible outcomes when two closely related populations of mice meet after being separated for many generations. However, the possibility of producing inferior hybrids in the region of overlap that subsequently produce progressively superior hybrids over several generations is not supported by any known biological mechanism. In general, hybridization can result in various outcomes depending on several ecological, genetic, and behavioral factors.

Two Closely Related Populations of Mice Have Been Separated for Many