Which type of isolating mechanism occurs after fertilization?

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The isolating mechanism that occurs after fertilization is referred to as post-reproductive isolation. This type of mechanism involves processes that prevent the successful reproduction of offspring even after mating has occurred.

For example, even if two different species mate and fertilization takes place, various factors can prevent the resulting embryos from developing into healthy, viable offspring. These factors include genetic incompatibility, where the genetic material from the parents does not allow for normal development, or hybrid inviability, where the embryos may commence development but fail to survive to birth or become sterile.

Understanding post-reproductive isolation mechanisms is crucial in the study of speciation and how different species can arise and be maintained in nature. In contrast, other mechanisms mentioned, like pre-reproductive isolation, occur before fertilization and involve barriers that prevent different species from mating altogether.

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