Question

Males of different species of the fruit fly Drosophila that live in the same parts of the Hawaiian Islands have different elaborate courtship rituals that involve fighting other males and stylized movements that attract females. What type of reproductive isolation does this represent?

A) habitat isolation
B) temporal isolation
C) behavioral isolation
D) gametic isolation
E) postzygotic barriers

Answer 1

Different species of Drosophila in the same geographic region exhibit unique courtship rituals, leading to behavioral isolation that serves as a prezygotic barrier to interbreeding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The elaborate courtship rituals of different species of the fruit fly Drosophila serve as an example of behavioral isolation, which is a type of prezygotic barrier. This form of isolation occurs when there are specific behaviors, such as fighting or display movements, that are essential for attracting a mate and are unique to each species. Since each species has a distinct ritual, females are only responsive to the courtship behaviors of their own species, preventing mating with males of another species even when they coexist geographically.

Answer 2

C) behavioral isolation

Step-by-step explanation:

The mechanisms of reproductive isolation that prevent the formation of a zygote by interbreeding between the individuals of two different species are called pre-zygotic isolation mechanisms. Behavioral isolation is one of such pre-zygotic isolation mechanisms. It includes the exchange of specific signals between the individuals of the same species before mating. Such specific courtship behaviors represent behavioral isolation.

Different species of fruit flies exhibit specific courtship behaviors such as fighting and display to attract the females of the same species only. These signals are not identified by females of the other species. It represents behavioral isolation.