Male frogs give calls that attract female frogs to approach and mate. Researchers examined mating calls of closely related but separate species of tree frogs in South America. What outcomes could possibly occur where the ranges of two species overlap?
I. The species will interbreed, eventually fusing over time.
II. A stable hybrid zone will form if hybrids are better adapted to the area of overlap than either parent species is.
III. Species will continue to diverge and be isolated by behavioral or genetic mechanisms.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the ranges of two closely related species overlap, several outcomes are possible: interbreeding could lead to the fusion of the species over time (I), a stable hybrid zone could form if the hybrids are better adapted to the overlap area (II), and the species could continue to diverge and be isolated by behavioral or genetic mechanisms to prevent interbreeding (III).

Male Frogs Give Calls That Attract Female Frogs to Approach