Males of different species of the fruit fly Drosophila that live in the same parts of the Hawaiian Islands have different elaborate courtship rituals. These rituals involve fighting other males and making 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

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of reproductive isolation. Reproductive isolation is a mechanism that keeps species from mating with others. It can occur in various ways, including habitat, temporal, behavioral, and gametic isolation.
2. Step 2: Analyze the given problem. The problem mentions that males of different species of the fruit fly Drosophila have different elaborate courtship rituals. These rituals involve fighting other males and making stylized movements that attract females.
3. Step 3: Match the problem with the correct type of reproductive isolation. In this case, the different courtship rituals are a form of behavior that prevents different species from interbreeding.
4. Step 4: Therefore, the correct answer is behavioral isolation. This type of isolation occurs when there are differences in mating behaviors or rituals between species.
5. Step 5: Final answer: c. behavioral isolation.

Key Concepts

Reproductive Isolation

Reproductive isolation refers to mechanisms that prevent different species from interbreeding, thus maintaining species boundaries. It can occur through various means, ensuring that even if species coexist in the same area, they do not produce viable offspring. Understanding reproductive isolation is crucial for studying speciation and biodiversity.

Behavioral Isolation

Behavioral isolation is a type of reproductive isolation that occurs when two populations develop different mating behaviors or rituals. In the case of Drosophila, the distinct courtship rituals of males serve to attract females of their own species while deterring females of other species, preventing interbreeding despite geographical proximity.

Courtship Rituals

Courtship rituals are specific behaviors exhibited by animals to attract mates. These rituals can include visual displays, sounds, or movements that signal fitness and readiness to mate. In Drosophila, these elaborate courtship behaviors are essential for species recognition and play a significant role in reproductive isolation.