Question

question 18 of 20 intervals. they are brought back to the lab where mice from different populations are mated. the percentage of crosses that are successful is recorded for each population, along with the percentage of offspring that are fertile from each cross. the data are shown in the table. which statement about the data shown is most accurate? the extent of prezygotic isolation increases roughly linearly with increasing geographic distance, but postzygotic isolation does not change with distance. prezygotic and postzygotic isolation are decreasing at about the same rate with increasing geographic distance. the extent of postzygotic isolation increases roughly linearly with increasing geographic distance, but prezygotic isolation does not change with distance. the extent of prezygotic isolation decreases roughly linearly with increasing geographic distance, but postzygotic isolation does not change with distance. prezygotic and postzygotic isolation are increasing at about the same rate with increasing geographic distance.

Explanation:

Prezygotic isolation is related to the success of crosses (first - column data). Postzygotic isolation is related to the fertility of offspring from successful crosses (second - column data). As the distance increases, the percentage of successful crosses decreases (from 80 at 0 km to 43 at 40 km) and the percentage of fertile offspring from successful crosses also decreases (from 95 at 0 km to 61 at 40 km), indicating both types of isolation are increasing with distance.

Answer:

Prezygotic and postzygotic isolation are increasing at about the same rate with increasing geographic distance.