In a hypothetical situation,a certain species of flea feeds only on the blood of pronghorn antelopes.In rangelands of the western United States,pronghorns and cattle often associate with one another.If some of these pronghorn-feeding fleas develop a strong preference for cattle blood and mate only with other fleas that prefer cattle blood,then over time which of these should occur,if the host mammal can be considered as the fleas' habitat?
1)reproductive isolation
2)sympatric speciation
3)habitat isolation
4)prezygotic barriers
A)1 only
B)2 and 3
C)1,2,and 3
D)2,3,and 4
E)1 through 4

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The scenario describes a situation where fleas develop a preference for a new host (cattle) and mate only within this preference group, leading to reproductive isolation (1) as they no longer breed with fleas preferring pronghorns. This situation is an example of sympatric speciation (2) because it occurs within the same geographic area, facilitated by a shift in host preference. The host animal effectively becomes the habitat for the fleas, so choosing different hosts equates to habitat isolation (3). Finally, the preference for different hosts and exclusive mating within these preference groups establishes prezygotic barriers (4) to reproduction between the two flea populations.

In a Hypothetical Situation,a Certain Species of Flea Feeds Only