Question

When populations are isolated, even for a short time, mutation at loci with epistatic interactions that are adaptive in their own unique combinations in different environments can __________(one or more words)_________________ in the hybrids when they come back into contact.

A) Depressed fitness of hybrids

B)  Hybrid vigor

C) Enforce reproductive isolation

D) Answers labelled A and C are both correct.

Answer 1

Answer is C) Enforce reproductive isolation.

When populations are isolated, even for a short time, mutation at loci with epistatic interactions that are adaptive in their own unique combinations in different environments can enforce reproductive isolation  in the hybrids when they come back into contact. If the challenges of different environments are not present and without epistatic interactions caused by mutations at the loci , they do not evolve, and hence there will be gene flow between individuals and will freely interbreed if they come back into contact