Define ‘reproductive isolation’ and explain two types of reproductive isolation.

Hint: It is a collection of evolutionary mechanisms, behaviors and physiological processes critical for speciation.

Complete solution:
To solve this question, first we have to know reproductive isolation. Reproductive isolation is defined as the incapability of members of one population to reproduce with members of another population because of innate, genetic factors. The mechanisms of reproductive isolation are groups of evolutionary mechanisms, behaviors and physiological processes critical for speciation.

Two major types are given below-
1. Prezygotic barriers: Prezygotic barriers are boundaries that are present before an egg can be fertilized. Some examples of prezygotic barriers consist of temporal isolation, ecological isolation, behavioral isolation, and mechanical isolation.
2. Post zygotic barriers: post-zygotic barriers imply the animals mated but no offspring occurred after they did so. It can also imply the offspring is a hybrid and is not always viable, sterile or both.

Additional Information:
Reproductive isolation can occur by mating differences, sterility or environmental barriers that eventually lead to the adaptive splitting into two species. It is not always enough however internal barriers to gene flow are required for speciation to evolve.
Many matters can separate one population into two or more groups, like shifting continents. During their time of separation, the deer experienced changes to the point of reproductive isolation. This refers to while two groups of animals live close enough to each other to interact, but are not able to interbreed with one another.

Note: Reproductive isolation prevents members of different species from producing offspring, or ensures that any offspring are sterile.