prezygotic isolation
Technical term in evolutionary biology. Refers to reproductive barriers that prevent mating or fertilization between species before a zygote is formed. Compare with 生殖的隔離 (reproductive isolation) and 接合後隔離 (postzygotic isolation).
See also: 生殖的隔離
Prezygotic isolation includes differences in habitat and mating behavior.
生殖的隔離 is the broader term for reproductive isolation, which includes both prezygotic and postzygotic barriers. 接合前隔離 specifically refers to barriers acting before fertilization.
接合後隔離 (postzygotic isolation) refers to barriers that act after fertilization, such as hybrid inviability or sterility. 接合前隔離 acts before zygote formation.
Compound of 接合 (せつごう, 'union, fertilization') + 前 (ぜん, 'before') + 隔離 (かくり, 'isolation'). A direct calque of the English term 'prezygotic isolation'.