Reproductive isolation results in

Options

A. differentiation of species
B. evolutionary divergence
C. maintenance of a species
D. extermination of a species

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding Reproductive Isolation**: Reproductive isolation refers to mechanisms that prevent different species from interbreeding. This can occur due to various factors such as behavioral differences, temporal isolation (different mating seasons), or gametic incompatibility (where gametes cannot fuse).

2. **Example of Reproductive Isolation**: Consider two species, A and B, that coexist in the same area but do not mate with each other. This lack of mating can be due to differences in mating behaviors or other reproductive barriers.

3. **Development of Variations**: As species A and B remain reproductively isolated, they can develop their own unique variations over time. This process occurs because each species adapts to its environment independently, leading to genetic divergence.

4. **Formation of New Species**: Over time, the accumulated differences between species A and B can become significant enough that they can no longer interbreed even if they come into contact again. This leads to the formation of new species, a process known as evolutionary divergence.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, reproductive isolation results in evolutionary divergence, which is the process by which new species arise from a common ancestor due to the accumulation of genetic differences.

**Final Answer**: Reproductive isolation results in evolutionary divergence.

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