In this paper we investigate whether the assortative mating
between individuals of the same genetic entity (i.e. coming
from the same geographical area) of Echinostoma caproni, reported
in a previous paper, may be explained by a post-zygotic
isolating mechanism. The fecundity of the adults of 2 parental genetic
entities and of their hybrids (i.e. F1, F2, F3) was
quantified through 3 successive generations. Whereas the number of eggs
released by F1 hybrids is similar to that of the
mid-parent, that of recombinant hybrids (F2–3 hybrids) is
significantly lower than that of F1 and that of the mid-parent.
Since these results seem to demonstrate hybrid breakdown, 2 important
factors maintaining reproductive isolation, i.e.
pre-mating reproductive isolation and low hybrid fecundity, may influence
the evolution of E. caproni.