Mechanisms for partial reproductive isolation in a Bombina hybrid zone in Romania

Differences between taxa which have devoloped in allopatry can
contribute to reproductive isolation in the case of secondary
contact. Hybrid zones are ideal study systems in which to
investigate mechanisms for the inhibition of gene flow. This thesis
describes a mosaic hybrid zone between the ecologically
differentiated fire-bellied toads Bombina bombina and B. variegata.
I show that the spatial arrangement of habitat, natural selection
in tadpoles and phenotypic adaptation of the tadpoles to the
favored habitat contribute essentially to reproduktive isolation.