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Two populations of birds with somewhat different coloration live on opposite sides of a peninsula. The habitat between the populations is not suitable for these birds. When birds from the two populations are brought together, they produce young whose appearance is intermediate between the two parents. These offspring will breed with each other or with birds from either parent population, and all offspring of these pairings appear intermediate to various degrees.
-What keeps the two populations separate?
A) temporal reproductive isolation
B) lack of hybrid viability
C) behavioral reproductive isolation
D) habitat isolation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the habitat between the two populations is not suitable for these birds keeps them geographically isolated from each other, which is known as habitat isolation. This is what prevents the formation of hybrids between the two populations and maintains their genetic differentiation. Temporal reproductive isolation refers to the fact that populations breed at different times of the year, whereas behavioral reproductive isolation refers to differences in mating behaviors or preferences that prevent successful mating between individuals from different populations. Lack of hybrid viability would mean that the hybrids produced have reduced fitness and do not survive to reproduce, but this is not the case in this scenario as the hybrids are viable and can reproduce.

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