Question

A researcher claims that the Makira Island and the Santa Ana Island flycatchers are diverging into different species. Identify TWO potential prezygotic barriers that may be contributing to the divergence and speciation of these two populations of birds. Identify ONE piece of evidence that would indicate that speciation has already occurred within the flycatcher populations.

Answer 1

Prezygotic barriers:

1. Habitat isolation

2. Behavioral isolation

Step-by-step explanation:

Pre-zygotic barriers are the barriers which do not allow the formation of the zygote in the organisms.

The two mechanisms of the pre-zygotic barriers are the:

1. Habitat isolation: the Flycatchers do not share the same habitat which is also mentioned in the question that they live on different islands.

2. The behavioural isolation: the Flycatchers could have evolved the different mating rituals as a result of which the could not interbreed.

Thus, Habitat isolation and Behavioral isolation are correct.