Question

Two species of frogs inhabit the same fresh water pond habitat. One species of frog sings its mating song in early May, while the other species of frog sings its mating song in late June.
These two frogs species are able to remain completely separate species due to which isolating mechanism ?

• A. Mechanical isolation
• B. Habitat isolation
• C. Behavioral isolation
• D. Gametic isolation
• E. Geographic isolation

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Behavioral isolation

A. In mechanical isolation, the genitalia or flower parts prevent copulation or pollen transfer respectively.

B. In habitat isolation, individuals of different species do not meet for mating because they mate in different locations.

C. In behavioural isolation, individuals choose members of their own species and reject other species as mates.

D. In gametic isolation, gametes show selective attraction and acceptance in externally fertilised species.

E. Geographic isolation is same as habitat isolation in which individuals of different species do not meet for mating because they mate in different locations.

Hence the isolation shown by the frogs having different mating seasons but living in the same pond is Behavioural isolation as they are choosing members of their species only as their mates.

So, the correct answer is 'Behavioural isolation'.