Question

In the southeastern U.S., two species of wild lettuce (Lactuca) do not usually form hybrids because they bloom at different seasons. The means of isolation appears to be:

a) Temporal isolation
b) Mechanical isolation
c) Behavioral isolation
d) Geographic isolation

Answer 1

The means of isolation described in the question is temporal isolation, where two species do not mate with each other because they have different breeding seasons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The means of isolation described in the question is temporal isolation. Temporal isolation occurs when two species do not mate with each other because they have different breeding seasons. In the southeastern U.S., two species of wild lettuce (Lactuca) do not usually form hybrids because they bloom at different times of the year. For example, one species may reproduce from January to March, while the other species reproduces from March to May. This temporal difference prevents them from mating and forming hybrids, contributing to their reproductive isolation.