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Questions and Answers
What phenomenon occurs when two interacting groups, such as hosts and parasites, speciate in tandem?
What phenomenon occurs when two interacting groups, such as hosts and parasites, speciate in tandem?
An evolutionary arms race can be observed between predators and their prey, leading to reciprocal adaptations.
An evolutionary arms race can be observed between predators and their prey, leading to reciprocal adaptations.
True
What is the name of the toxin produced by newts that is involved in their defense against predators?
What is the name of the toxin produced by newts that is involved in their defense against predators?
Tetrodotoxin
The phenomenon where species evolve in a way that reduces competition by developing differing traits is called __________.
The phenomenon where species evolve in a way that reduces competition by developing differing traits is called __________.
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Which of the following best describes what happens in co-evolution?
Which of the following best describes what happens in co-evolution?
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Gene duplication can lead to increased genetic diversity by creating new gene functions.
Gene duplication can lead to increased genetic diversity by creating new gene functions.
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What type of evolutionary interaction involves similar traits arising in different species due to adaptation to similar environments?
What type of evolutionary interaction involves similar traits arising in different species due to adaptation to similar environments?
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What is the outcome when two species compete for similar resources?
What is the outcome when two species compete for similar resources?
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Ecological character displacement involves hybridization between competing species.
Ecological character displacement involves hybridization between competing species.
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What type of selection is exemplified when a single population has extreme fitness traits?
What type of selection is exemplified when a single population has extreme fitness traits?
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Batesian mimics gain protection by looking like the ______ species but are actually palatable.
Batesian mimics gain protection by looking like the ______ species but are actually palatable.
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What is a key adaptation that enables invertebrates to exploit new ecological opportunities?
What is a key adaptation that enables invertebrates to exploit new ecological opportunities?
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What is the term for the increased number of species in a clade over time?
What is the term for the increased number of species in a clade over time?
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Latitudinal gradients tend to show that species diversity decreases as you move towards the poles.
Latitudinal gradients tend to show that species diversity decreases as you move towards the poles.
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What is adaptive radiation?
What is adaptive radiation?
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Late bursts of speciation typically involve many lineages existing for an extended period with little speciation.
Late bursts of speciation typically involve many lineages existing for an extended period with little speciation.
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What is one common example of adaptive radiation observed in nature?
What is one common example of adaptive radiation observed in nature?
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Convergent evolution occurs when different species evolve similar traits as a result of _____.
Convergent evolution occurs when different species evolve similar traits as a result of _____.
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What typically causes the slowdown in diversification rates in certain clades?
What typically causes the slowdown in diversification rates in certain clades?
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Match the following concepts with their definitions:
Match the following concepts with their definitions:
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The rate of species production generally shows a notable change over time.
The rate of species production generally shows a notable change over time.
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What is the primary reason adaptive radiation often occurs on islands?
What is the primary reason adaptive radiation often occurs on islands?
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Study Notes
Sexual Selection
- Anisogamy is the fundamental difference between male and female gametes (in plants and animals)
- Anisogamy drives sexual selection, creating differences in sexes (sexual dimorphism)
- Extreme anisogamy is seen in species like the kiwi, where females invest heavily in egg production, which reduces their mobility and protection
Sex Determining Systems
- Sex determination can be environmental (e.g., reptiles), depending on incubation temperature, or genetic (e.g., mammals with XY/XX or birds with ZW/ZZ systems)
- Different sex determination systems affect sexual selection pressures
Sexual Selection
- Primary sexual traits are directly involved in reproduction (e.g., genitalia)
- Secondary sexual traits are used in mate attraction (e.g., elaborate plumage or antlers)
- Darwin recognised that selection for secondary sexual traits often isn't directly linked to survival, but rather to competition for mates (sexual selection)
- Sexual selection (selection for mating success) is comparable to natural selection.
Sexual Selection Models
- Male-male competition: Competition for mates among males (e.g., battles, displays)
- Female choice: Females select males based on specific traits (e.g., plumage, ornaments). This can lead to traits that enhance mating success but may reduce survivability.
- Sensory bias: Mate traits that exploit pre-existing sensory biases in females (even if the trait itself doesn't offer any direct survival benefit)
- Good genes: Females choose males based on traits that indicate overall quality, suggesting better genetic fitness in the offspring.
Co-evolution
- Co-evolution is the joint evolution of two or more ecologically interacting species
- Coevolution occurs in response to selection pressures imposed by other species.
- Species can co-evolve through co-diversification, creating tandem phylogenies (parallel evolutionary events) for closely related (or interacting) species (e.g., parasites and hosts).
- Evolutionary arm races can occur between predator and prey species, where prey develops adaptations to avoid predation, while predators adapt to overcome those defences.
Diversity of Species
- Diversification is an increase in the number of species in a clade.
- Diversification rates can be influenced by ecological opportunities (opening up new ecological niches, for example. It can increase if there are no constraints such as predators.
- Many key adaptations or innovations (specific traits) allow species to exploit new resources and habitats
- Speciation rates can vary greatly over evolutionary history
- Speciation can happen quickly or gradually, and it can be caused by factors such as geographic isolation, or natural selection.
Evolution and Development (Evo-Devo)
- Evo-Devo explores how changes in development influence evolutionary change.
- Heterochrony relates to changes in the timing of developmental events, potentially causing the retention of juvenile traits in adults (paedomorphosis).
- Developmental processes underpin morphological differences between species
- Many adaptations arise from alterations in the rate or timing of developmental events rather than entirely new genes.
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Description
Explore the fascinating concepts of sexual selection, anisogamy, and various sex determining systems. Understand how these factors influence evolutionary strategies and species characteristics. This quiz covers essential traits involved in reproduction and mate attraction as discussed by Darwin.
