In: Biology
Two sunflower species hybridize producing polyploid offspring. These polyploid hybrids, however, are sterile. This is an example of:
A. |
postzygotic isolation |
|
B. |
alloptaric speciation |
|
C. |
parapatric speciation |
|
D. |
prezygotic isolation |
General Explanation:
Hybridize: When two different species combine together to produce an offspring with combined characteristics through sexual reproduction, it is called hybridization.
Polyploid offspring: When an organism has more than two sets of chromosomes, it is called a polyploid offspring. This is commonly observed in plants.
Reproductive isolation is a way to ensure that reproduction does not happen with other species. It can be either pre-zygotic or post-zygotic. In pre-zygotic isolation, the egg is not fertilized whereas, in postzygotic isolation, the offspring is rendered infertile due to hybrid sterility, inviability, etc.
Allopatric speciation is when two groups or populations of the same species are separated due to geographical reasons and result in reproductive isolation thus evolving separately.
Parapatric speciation occurs when subpopulations of the same species that coexist in the same habitat can evolve in reproductive isolation due to partial barriers.
Answer:
Post-zygotic isolation.
Explanation:
In post-zygotic isolation, the sunflower offspring will be rendered sterile as this brings about reproductive isolation this creating a reproductive barrier.
Since an offspring was formed, the other options do not apply.