Males of different species of the fruit fly Drosophila that live in the same parts of the Hawaiian Islands have different elaborate courtship rituals that involve fighting other males and stylized movements that attract females. What type of reproductive isolation does this represent?

A) habitat isolation

B) temporal isolation

C) behavioral isolation

D) gametic isolation

E) postzygotic barriers

C) behavioral isolation

Explanation:

The mechanisms of reproductive isolation that prevent the formation of a zygote by interbreeding between the individuals of two different species are called pre-zygotic isolation mechanisms. Behavioral isolation is one of such pre-zygotic isolation mechanisms. It includes the exchange of specific signals between the individuals of the same species before mating. Such specific courtship behaviors represent behavioral isolation.

Different species of fruit flies exhibit specific courtship behaviors such as fighting and display to attract the females of the same species only. These signals are not identified by females of the other species. It represents behavioral isolation.