Reproductive Isolation

Reproductive isolation is the inability of members of different species to interbreed in nature.

Importance of Reproductive Isolation

Reproductive isolation

a) is essential for a species to maintain its distinct identity.

b) contributes to the formation of new species making organic evolution possible.

But, reproductive isolation is not a universal phenomenon. There are a number of examples where members of two different species interbreed under captivity or laboratory conditions.

For e.g.,

i) Horse (Equus cabalus) and donkey (Equus asinus) belong to different species, but can interbreed under captivity and produce sterile hybrids.

ii) Lion (Panthera leo) and tiger (Panthera tigris) belong to different species, but in captivity, interbreed and produce fertile hybrids.