In a hypothetical situation, a certain species of flea feeds only on pronghorn antelopes. In rangelands of the western United States, pronghorns and cattle often associate with one another. If some of these fleas develop a strong preference, instead, for cattle blood and mate only with fleas that, likewise, 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 fleas developing a preference for cattle blood and mating only with similar fleas can lead to reproductive isolation, sympatric speciation, habitat isolation, and prezygotic barriers, as they are no longer interbreeding with the original population that prefers pronghorns.

In a Hypothetical Situation, a Certain Species of Flea Feeds