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Questions and Answers
What is the primary criterion for defining a species under the Biological Species Concept?
What is the primary criterion for defining a species under the Biological Species Concept?
- Morphological similarities
- Ability to interbreed and produce fertile offspring (correct)
- Genetic similarities
- Ecological niche fulfillment
In the context of species definition, what does the Phylogenetic Species Concept emphasize?
In the context of species definition, what does the Phylogenetic Species Concept emphasize?
- Common ancestry and evolutionary history (correct)
- Genetic variation within populations
- Physical traits and characteristics
- Ecological roles within an environment
Which reproductive isolating mechanism prevents fertilization from occurring between two species?
Which reproductive isolating mechanism prevents fertilization from occurring between two species?
- Mechanical isolation
- Behavioral isolation
- Gametic isolation (correct)
- Temporal isolation
Which species concept focuses on the distinct morphological traits that characterize a species?
Which species concept focuses on the distinct morphological traits that characterize a species?
What does the term 'monophyletic group' refer to in phylogenetic trees?
What does the term 'monophyletic group' refer to in phylogenetic trees?
Which of the following is an example of postzygotic reproductive isolation?
Which of the following is an example of postzygotic reproductive isolation?
Which species concept emphasizes the evolutionary history and lineage of a species?
Which species concept emphasizes the evolutionary history and lineage of a species?
Which of the following factors is NOT a method used by taxonomists for classifying species?
Which of the following factors is NOT a method used by taxonomists for classifying species?
What is an advantage of the biological species concept?
What is an advantage of the biological species concept?
Which type of isolating mechanism occurs when two species breed in different seasons?
Which type of isolating mechanism occurs when two species breed in different seasons?
What is a reproductive isolating mechanism?
What is a reproductive isolating mechanism?
Which of the following is NOT a type of prezygotic isolating mechanism?
Which of the following is NOT a type of prezygotic isolating mechanism?
What is required for two species to be considered separate under the biological species concept?
What is required for two species to be considered separate under the biological species concept?
What does mechanical isolation refer to in reproductive isolation?
What does mechanical isolation refer to in reproductive isolation?
Which reproductive isolating mechanism may occur when two species occupy different habitats?
Which reproductive isolating mechanism may occur when two species occupy different habitats?
Which species concept cannot be applied to organisms that reproduce asexually?
Which species concept cannot be applied to organisms that reproduce asexually?
What is a fundamental characteristic of the biological species concept?
What is a fundamental characteristic of the biological species concept?
Which species concept relies solely on morphological differences?
Which species concept relies solely on morphological differences?
What is a disadvantage of the morphological species concept?
What is a disadvantage of the morphological species concept?
Which of the following best describes the evolutionary species concept?
Which of the following best describes the evolutionary species concept?
In the phylogenetic species concept, what is a characteristic of a monophyletic group?
In the phylogenetic species concept, what is a characteristic of a monophyletic group?
What is an advantage of the phylogenetic species concept over the morphological species concept?
What is an advantage of the phylogenetic species concept over the morphological species concept?
The morphological species concept is particularly useful in which of the following contexts?
The morphological species concept is particularly useful in which of the following contexts?
Which of the following concepts requires reproductive isolation to define a species?
Which of the following concepts requires reproductive isolation to define a species?
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Study Notes
Species Concepts
- Four main species concepts: morphological, evolutionary, phylogenetic, and biological.
Morphological Species Concept
- Defines species by distinct physical characteristics, known as diagnostic traits.
- Advantages: Useful for identifying new species in fossils and applicable to both sexual and asexual organisms.
- Disadvantages: Limited for species with few measurable traits (e.g., bacteria) and issues with sexual dimorphism.
Evolutionary Species Concept
- Focuses on speciation in the fossil record using morphological traits.
- Requires species members to share a distinct evolutionary pathway.
Phylogenetic Species Concept
- Defines species based on an evolutionary family tree (phylogeny) linked through a common ancestor.
- Advantages: Does not rely solely on morphological traits.
- Monophyletic group: A branch that includes all descendants of a common ancestor.
Biological Species Concept
- Defines species as groups of interbreeding individuals sharing a gene pool and reproductively isolated from others.
Evolutionary Processes
- Microevolution: Small-scale changes in allele frequency within a population.
- Macroevolution: Large-scale changes, including speciation, resulting in the origin of new species.
Phylogenetic Analysis
- Phylogeny: A tool to investigate the history of evolution among organisms.
- Key terms:
- Node: Intersection of two lineages, representing a common ancestor.
- Root: Origin of shared ancestry.
- Extinction: Represented by shortened branches on the tree.
- Monophyletic group: A clade that includes a species and its common ancestor.
Reproductive Isolating Mechanisms
- Essential for maintaining species separation; gene flow must be restricted.
- Mechanisms can be structural, functional, or behavioral.
- Prezygotic isolating mechanisms prevent successful reproduction before zygote formation:
- Habitat isolation: Species in different habitats may not meet.
- Temporal isolation: Species reproduce at different times.
- Behavioral isolation: Differences in mating behaviors hinder reproduction.
- Mechanical isolation: Variations in reproductive structures prevent mating.
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