When hybrids produced in a hybrid zone can breed with each other ...

Question

When hybrids produced in a hybrid zone can breed with each other and with both parent species, and they survive and reproduce as well as members of the parent species, one would predict that
a. the hybrid zone would be stable.
b. sympatric speciation would occur.
c. reinforcement of reproductive barriers would keep the parent species separate.
d. reproductive barriers would lessen and the two parent species would fuse.

Accepted Answer

everyone. Let's take a look at this question together. Hybrid zones are the locations where diverged interest specific lineages cross fertilized. What happens when the reproductive barriers in the hybrid zone weakened over time. So we're talking about intra specific lineages and when we see that intra specific we know we're talking about within the same species. So within the same species let's draw a diagram to help us solve this question. So here we have our two zones and here we have zone A. We have those that are occupying hybrid zone A. And then over here we have those occupying zone B. And in the middle here is our reproductive barrier. And so when that barrier weakens over time it looks something like this. And so you have these gaps in the middle which means that these different groups can pass through the barrier. And so it would look something like this. Have some of A. On one side and some of A. On the other and then some of B. Over here and so you'd have both groups on either side. And so these two lineages will meet again and interbreeding between these two populations will become feasible and viable offspring will be produced. And so the two species will become one which means that answer choice C. Is the correct answer here. And we can also double check that C. Is the only correct answer here. Because answer choice A species will continue to diverge would only happen if that reproductive barrier stays strong and answer choice B. Hybrids arkan continuously produced. We know that hybrids are between two different species And since we are dealing with interest specific lineages, answer choice B is incorrect and answer choice D. Is incorrect because gene flow restriction only occurs when there's that separation between the two and they only have so many that they can reproduce with. So answer choice C. Is the only correct answer. Hope you found this video to be helpful. Thank you and goodbye.

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