Two researchers experimentally formed tetraploid frogs by fertilizing diploid eggs from Rana porosa brevipoda with diploid sperm from Rana nigromaculata.When they mated these tetraploid frogs with each other,most of the offspring that survived to maturity were tetraploid,with chromosome sets of both diploid parent species.Based on these results,if this type of tetraploid formed in the wild,what would be the result? (Y.Kondo and A.Kashiwagi.2004.Experimentally induced autotetraploidy and allotetraploidy in two Japanese pond frogs.Journal of Herpetology 38(3):
381-92. )
A)The two parent species would interbreed and fuse into one species.
B)The two parent species would recognize each other as mates.
C)The tetraploids would be reproductively isolated from both parent species.
D)The tetraploids would be selected against.
E)Any of the above answers could be correct,depending on the environment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The formation of tetraploid offspring with chromosome sets of both parent species would result in reproductive isolation from both parent species, as they would not be able to produce viable offspring with either diploid parent species. This is a common pattern in polyploid species, where the increased number of chromosomes can lead to hybrid infertility and result in the establishment of a new, reproductively isolated species. Therefore, options A, B, and D are not likely outcomes, and option E is not as likely because reproductive isolation is a common pattern in polyploid species, regardless of the environment.

Two Researchers Experimentally Formed Tetraploid Frogs by Fertilizing Diploid Eggs