What is Geographical Isolation
Geographical isolation is the separation of two populations by a physical barrier.
The physical barriers can be a mountain, river, plateau or glacier. The
geographical isolation leads to adaptive radiation followed by allopatric
speciation. A physical barrier could be a geographical barrier that prevents the
migration of individuals or an unfavorable habitat between the two populations.
When a single population is separated into two or more populations by a
physical barrier, the individuals in the each population rapidly diversify from the
ancestral species into new forms. This process is called adaptive radiation. In
this process, individuals change according to the environment and the types and
the amounts of resources available in their habitat.
Figure 1: Allopatric Speciation
Adaptive radiation leads to different sets of morphological and physiological
characteristics in different populations of the same species. Each set of
characteristics builds the population as a new species. This type of speciation is
called allopatric speciation. In allopatric speciation, the gene flow between two
species is greatly reduced. The Dwain’s finches with diversified beak shapes is a
prime example of adaptive radiation and allopatric speciation. The topography-
derived geographical isolation that leads to the allopatric speciation is shown
in figure 1.
What is Reproductive Isolation
Reproductive isolation is the separation of two populations in such a way that
they cannot interbreed and produce fertile offspring. This type of isolation can
occur due to any environmental, mechanical, physiological or behavioral
barriers. The isolation of the populations from the main population restricts the
gene flow among the populations and causes speciation. The reproductive
isolating mechanisms prevent the formation of a viable zygote. Therefore, they
are a type of pre-zygotic isolating mechanisms. The process of reproductive
isolation is shown in figure 2.
Figure 2: Reproductive Isolation
The four types of pre-zygotic isolating mechanisms are mechanical isolation,
ecological isolation, temporal isolation, and behavioral isolation. In mechanical
isolation, the mating is restricted by the differences of the morphological
characteristics. For example, the snails with right-coiling shells cannot mate with
the snails with left-coiling shells. The coiling of the snail’s shell is controlled by a
single gene. The changes occurred in that gene may cause speciation.
The ecological isolation occurs due to geographical barriers. It is also called the
geographical isolation and is described above in this article.
The temporal isolation occurs when the populations breed in different time
periods or breeding seasons. For example, though the red-legged and yellow-
legged frogs are two closely-related frogs, the red-legged frog’s breeding season
is from January to March while the breeding season of the yellow-legged frog is
from April to May. Therefore, no interbreeding may occur between the two types
of frogs. The behavioral isolation is the presence of different courtship rituals
such as breeding calls and mating dances that prevent the interbreeding.
Similarities Between Geographical and
Reproductive Isolation
Both geographical and reproductive isolation lead to the speciation in
which an ancestral species to divide into new, distinct species.
Both geographical and reproductive isolation can occur due to the
separation of two populations by geographical barriers.
Both geographical and reproductive isolation bring morphological
differences to different populations.
Both geographical and reproductive isolation lead to genetic
incompatibility between populations.
Both geographical and reproductive isolation contribute to evolution.
Difference Between Geographical and
Reproductive Isolation
Definition
Geographical Isolation: Geographical isolation is the separation of two
populations by a physical barrier.
Reproductive Isolation: Reproductive isolation is the separation of two
populations in such a way they cannot interbreed and produce a fertile offspring
due to environmental, mechanical, physiological or behavioral barriers.
Cause
Geographical Isolation: The geographical isolation is caused by the
geographical barriers.
Reproductive Isolation: The reproductive isolation is caused by the behavioral
barriers, temporal barriers, and the geographical barriers.
Significance
Geographical Isolation: The geographical isolation is a form of reproductive
isolation.
Reproductive Isolation: The reproductive isolation is the major cause of the
speciation.
Examples
Geographical Isolation: The Darwin’s finches are examples of geographical
isolation.
Reproductive Isolation: The temporal isolation of red-legged and yellow-legged
frogs, mechanical isolation of snails with right-coiling shells and snails with left-
coiling shells are examples of reproductive isolation.
Conclusion
Geographical and reproductive isolation are two types of mechanisms that lead
to speciation. Geographical isolation leads to allopatric speciation through
adaptive radiation. The reproductive isolation occurs due to mechanical,
ecological, temporal or behavioral isolation of populations. The geographical
isolation is a form of reproductive isolation. The main difference between
geographical and reproductive isolation is their extent of the contribution to
speciation.
Reference:
1.“Allopatric speciation: the great divide.” Understanding Evolution, Available
here. Accessed 29 Sept. 2017.
2.“Reproductive Isolating Mechanisms.” Reproductive Isolation, Available here.
Accessed 29 Sept. 2017.