Two species meet in a hybrid zone. Hybrid fitness drops over generations due to mate-choice changes in the parental species.
What process is most likely responsible for the further reduction of hybrid fitness through reduced interspecies mating?
- A
Stabilizing selection within each species
- Bcheck_circle
Reinforcement: selection strengthens prezygotic isolation when hybrids have low fitness
- C
Genetic drift in the hybrid zone
- D
Hybridization: hybrids are favored
Explanation
Reinforcement is the evolution of stronger prezygotic barriers (e.g., mate discrimination) when hybrids have lower fitness. Selection on parental species reduces costly interspecies mating, completing speciation.