An example of an isolation reproductive mechanism between breeding at different times of the year and infertile offspring is the case of the red deer (Cervus elaphus) and the sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Japan.
Red deer and sika deer are closely related species that inhabit the same areas in Japan. However, they have different breeding seasons. Red deer mate in the autumn, while sika deer mate in the winter. This difference in breeding times acts as a reproductive barrier between them.
If a red deer and a sika deer were to mate during their respective breeding seasons, they may be able to produce offspring. However, due to the genetic differences between the two species, the resulting hybrid offspring would be infertile. This means that they would not be capable of producing viable offspring of their own.
As a result, the difference in breeding seasons acts as a mechanism to isolate the red deer and sika deer populations, preventing gene flow between them. The limited gene exchange between the two species helps maintain their distinct genetic characteristics and prevents the merging of their populations into a single hybridized group.
An example of isolation reproductive mechanism between breeding at different times of the year and infertile offspring
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