biology
In biology species can become isolated from other species through a number of processes. These isolation processes keep the two species from interbreeding and producing hybrid offspring. There are five separate isolation processes that prevent two species capable of producing offspring from being able to do so.
Ecological Isolation
Ecological, or habitat, isolation is when two species that could interbreed do not because the species live in different areas. For example, in the wild of India both the lion and tiger exist and are capable of interbreeding; however, the lion lives in the grasslands and the tiger lives in the forest. By living in different habitats, the two species will not encounter on another and are isolated from the other species.
Temporal Isolation
Temporal isolation is when species that could interbreed do not because the different species breed at different times. This temporal difference can be the difference between breeding during the night or during the day as some insect species. More common is breeding at different times of the year. An example of temporal isolation would be one species of bird that feeds at dawn and another species that feeds at dusk. They are less likely to interact due to their schedules. (Night owl vs. early bird)
Behavioral Isolation
Behavioral isolation relates to the fact that many species have mating rituals that are performed prior to mating. This is a common barrier between animals. Example :Cheetahs and lions,There is no mechanical isolation between these two species of cat so if forced (or manipulated in a laboratory) an individual from each population is able to successfully mate and reproduce.
Mechanical Isolation
Mechanical isolation is caused by structures or chemical barriers that keep species isolated from one another. For example, in flowering plants the shape of the flower will tend to match up with a natural pollinator. Plants that do not have the correct shape for the pollinator will not
Ecological Isolation
Ecological, or habitat, isolation is when two species that could interbreed do not because the species live in different areas. For example, in the wild of India both the lion and tiger exist and are capable of interbreeding; however, the lion lives in the grasslands and the tiger lives in the forest. By living in different habitats, the two species will not encounter on another and are isolated from the other species.
Temporal Isolation
Temporal isolation is when species that could interbreed do not because the different species breed at different times. This temporal difference can be the difference between breeding during the night or during the day as some insect species. More common is breeding at different times of the year. An example of temporal isolation would be one species of bird that feeds at dawn and another species that feeds at dusk. They are less likely to interact due to their schedules. (Night owl vs. early bird)
Behavioral Isolation
Behavioral isolation relates to the fact that many species have mating rituals that are performed prior to mating. This is a common barrier between animals. Example :Cheetahs and lions,There is no mechanical isolation between these two species of cat so if forced (or manipulated in a laboratory) an individual from each population is able to successfully mate and reproduce.
Mechanical Isolation
Mechanical isolation is caused by structures or chemical barriers that keep species isolated from one another. For example, in flowering plants the shape of the flower will tend to match up with a natural pollinator. Plants that do not have the correct shape for the pollinator will not