Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Reproductive isolation occurs when two populations become unable to interbreed successfully due to barriers such as geographical separation, behavioral differences, or genetic incompatibility. This isolation can lead to speciation over time.
Related terms
Allopatric Speciation: The formation of new species due to geographic barriers that physically separate populations.
Behavioral Isolation: A type of reproductive isolation where differences in behavior or mating rituals prevent successful reproduction between individuals from different populations.
Hybridization: The process of breeding individuals from two different species or subspecies, resulting in offspring with mixed genetic traits.