[Campbell Biology P.558] The example of red and purple sea urchins Strongylocentrotus franci... | Practice Question

The example of red and purple sea urchins Strongylocentrotus franciscanus and S. purpuratus failing to hybridize successfully due to poor binding between egg and sperm surface proteins is a classic case of which type of reproductive barrier?

  • A: Hybrid Breakdown
  • B: Gametic Isolation
  • C: Reduced Hybrid Fertility
  • D: Reduced Hybrid Viability

Explanation

Gametic isolation occurs when gametes egg and sperm of different species are incompatible and thus unable to fuse to form a zygote, often due to biochemical mechanisms like incompatible surface proteins.