Evolutionary Biology: Ernst Mayr

Questions and Answers

What was Ernst Mayr's primary contribution to evolutionary biology?

He defined the biological species concept. (correct)

He discovered the theory of natural selection.

He proposed the idea of genetic drift.

He studied the behavior of social insects.

Which of the following honors did Ernst Mayr receive during his lifetime?

Crafoord Prize (correct)

Linnaean Gold Medal

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

Balzan Prize (correct)

In what year did Ernst Mayr retire from Harvard University?

1980

1953

1975 (correct)

1994

Which field did Ernst Mayr NOT specifically contribute to?

Genetics Signup and view all the answers

How long was Ernst Mayr's career in biology?

80 years Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the impact Ernst Mayr had on evolutionary biology?

He emphasized the importance of species diversity. Signup and view all the answers

When did Ernst Mayr pass away?

2004 Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the extraordinary habitats mentioned in relation to living organisms?

Deserts Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Mangifera' represent in the scientific name Mangifera indica?

The genus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about biological names is correct?

The genus name is always in italics. Signup and view all the answers

How should the scientific name be presented when handwritten?

Each word should be separately underlined. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'indica' represent in Mangifera indica?

The specific epithet Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes 'classification'?

Grouping based on observable characters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Latin in biological names?

Biological names must be derived from or Latinized. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from the naming of 'Mangifera indica Linn.'?

Linnaeus is the first author to describe this species. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the concept of group recognition in classification?

Group names like 'dogs' imply specific known traits. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'taxonomic category' refer to?

A unit of classification representing a rank Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered the lowest taxonomic category?

Species Signup and view all the answers

What is included in the scope of systematics?

Identification, nomenclature, and classification Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes taxonomic hierarchy?

It involves multiple ranks where each represents a category. Signup and view all the answers

What must be known to place an organism into various taxonomic categories?

The characters of the organism or group of organisms Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following categories is NOT part of the taxonomic hierarchy?

Dimension Signup and view all the answers

Insects are classified based on what common feature?

Three pairs of jointed legs Signup and view all the answers

What type of study has led to the development of common taxonomic categories?

Taxonomical studies of all known organisms Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes one species from another closely related species?

Morphological differences Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a genus?

Homo Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a category in the taxonomic hierarchy?

Tribe Signup and view all the answers

What do specific epithets indicate in the scientific naming of organisms?

The distinct species within a genus Signup and view all the answers

Which two species belong to the same genus?

Panthera leo and Panthera tigris Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary criteria for classifying a group into a family?

Related genera's features Signup and view all the answers

In the scientific name Homo sapiens, which part denotes the species?

sapiens Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly categorizes the relationship between Solanum tuberosum and Solanum melongena?

Same genus Signup and view all the answers

Which genera are included in the family Solanaceae?

Solanum, Petunia, Datura Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the order Carnivora?

Comprises families like Felidae and Canidae Signup and view all the answers

What defines an order in biological classification?

An aggregation of similar characters among related families Signup and view all the answers

Which class includes orders like Primata and Carnivora?

Class Mammalia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a defining trait of phylum Chordata?

Dorsal hollow neural system and notochord Signup and view all the answers

Members of which family are separated between genera like Panthera and Felis?

Felidae Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly represents the hierarchy of biological classification from order to family?

Order – Family – Genus Signup and view all the answers

What relationship exists between the families Felidae and Canidae?

They are both in the order Carnivora. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ernst Mayr

Born on 5 July 1904 in Kempten, Germany.
Renowned Harvard University evolutionary biologist; dubbed ‘The Darwin of the 20th century’.
Joined Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences in 1953 and retired in 1975 as Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology Emeritus.
Research encompassed ornithology, taxonomy, zoogeography, evolution, systematics, and the history and philosophy of biology.
Significantly emphasized species diversity as a pivotal question in evolutionary biology.
Established a widely accepted definition of biological species.
Recipient of the Balzan Prize (1983), International Prize for Biology (1994), and Crafoord Prize (1999), known as the triple crown of biology.
Died at age 100 in 2004.

The Living World

The diversity of living organisms is vast and spans various habitats like mountains, forests, oceans, lakes, and deserts.
The scientific nomenclature involves italicized Latin names; for example, Mangifera indica (mango).
Binomial nomenclature consists of two parts: the genus (first word) and the specific epithet (second word).
Key rules for naming:
- Latinized names written in italics.
- Genus name begins with a capital letter; specific epithet starts with a lowercase letter.
- Both parts are underlined when handwritten.
- The abbreviated author name follows the species name, e.g., Mangifera indica Linn.

Classification and Taxonomy

Classification is essential for organizing living organisms into categories based on observable characteristics.
Systematics includes identification, nomenclature, and classification, considering evolutionary relationships.
Taxonomic hierarchy structures categories into ranks such as kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

Taxonomic Categories

Each category represents a rank or unit of classification known as a taxon (plural: taxa).
Species: Groups of organisms with fundamental similarities; identifiable based on distinct morphological differences. Examples:
- Mangifera indica (mango)
- Solanum tuberosum (potato)
- Panthera leo (lion)
Genus: Aggregates related species with shared characteristics. Example:
- Genus Solanum includes potato and brinjal.
- Genus Panthera consists of lion, leopard, and tiger.

Higher Taxonomic Categories

Family: Composed of related genera with fewer similarities, classified based on vegetative and reproductive features. Example:
- Family Solanaceae includes Solanum, Petunia, and Datura.
- Family Felidae includes cats (genus Felis) and big cats (genus Panthera).
Order: Includes families with some shared characteristics. Example:
- Order Carnivora encompasses families Felidae and Canidae.
Class: Groups related orders. Example:
- Class Mammalia includes order Primata (monkeys, gorillas) and order Carnivora (tigers, cats).
Phylum: Comprises all classes of animals with common features, such as presence of notochord. Example:
- Phylum Chordata includes classes pertaining to fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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Description

Explore the life and contributions of Ernst Mayr, a pivotal figure in evolutionary biology and an influential professor at Harvard University. Known as 'The Darwin of the 20th century', his work revolutionized our understanding of species and evolution. Test your knowledge on his theories and legacy in the field.