What is meant by temporal isolation?

Temporal isolation refers to a reproductive barrier that occurs when two or more species breed at different times, thus preventing them from mating with each other. This can happen in various ways, such as differences in the time of day, season, or even years of reproduction. For instance, two species of frogs may live in the same area but may breed at different times of the year, ensuring that their reproductive cycles do not overlap.

In contrast, geographic separation of species pertains to physical distance preventing them from interacting, which is not relevant to temporal factors. Physical barriers that prevent interaction are also distinct from temporal aspects. Likewise, having distinct morphological traits relates to physical differences, which do not influence mating times. Therefore, the concept of timing in the breeding cycles is what defines temporal isolation, making it the correct understanding in this context.