Which of the following scenarios is not an example of mechanical reproductive isolation?
A) Male genitalia is not the correct shape, thus a male cannot successfully mate with a female.
B) A male wasp visits but does not attempt to mate with an orchid flower, resulting in no pollen transfer.
C) Sexual organs of closely related sympatric species are incompatible.
D) Two closely related species of ground squirrel live on either side of the Grand Canyon.
E) Two different species of columbine flower are pollinated by different animals.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Scenario D is an example of geographical reproductive isolation, not mechanical reproductive isolation. The two species cannot mate because they are separated by a physical barrier (the Grand Canyon), rather than because of differences in their sexual organs.

Which of the Following Scenarios Is Not an Example of Mechanical