Postzygotic reproductive isolation

Home » Biology. A crucial component of speciation is reproductive isolation. It refers to the controls that keep populations that are closely related from reproducing with one another, which might eventually result in the emergence of new species. Reproductive isolation can occur before or after conception, and it is typically the consequence of genetic, ecological, or behavioural causes.

Postzygotic isolation examples

We shall examine prezygotic isolation, postzygotic isolation, and the role of genetics in reproductive isolation as well as other mechanisms of reproductive isolation in this article. This category of isolation occurs before the zygote formation can take place, where mating of the organisms does not occur. There are different forms of pre-zygotic isolation which include temporal, behavioural, mechanical, and gametic isolation.

This type of isolation occurs after mating between members of two different species, forming a zygote which leads to the formation of a hybrid. These hybrids are often infertile, hence unable to reproduce. One of the most important processes in the evolution of new species is reproductive isolation. Without it, closely related species may reproduce with one another and eventually unite into one species, eliminating the diversity of life that we see today.

The various mechanisms of reproductive isolation, including pre-zygotic and post-zygotic isolation, genetics, and incompatibility caused by microorganisms, ensure that closely related species remain distinct and can continue to evolve separately.