What is the Biological Species Concept?
A group of populations with the potential to interbreed and produce fertile offspring
This concept emphasizes reproductive capabilities among populations.
What defines the Morphological Species Concept?
Defined by the physical characteristics of the organisms
This concept focuses on observable traits to classify species.
What is the Ecological Species Concept?
Defines a species in terms of the niche they fill
This concept relates species to their ecological roles and interactions.
What is Natural Selection?
- Individuals vary in their characteristics
- Variation is heritable
- Individuals with suited characteristics are more likely to reproduce
- Favored characteristics become more common
This process leads to adaptation and evolution over generations.
What is Speciation?
Emergence of a new species; the splitting of one lineage into two
This process often involves reproductive isolation.
What is reproductive isolation?
The end of gene flow between populations
Over time, this leads to speciation.
What is Allopatric speciation?
Speciation pattern in which a physical barrier interrupts gene flow between populations
This fosters genetic divergences.
What is Sympatric speciation?
Speciation pattern in which genetic changes within a population lead to reproductive isolation
Occurs in the absence of a physical barrier to gene flow.
What is Parapatric speciation?
Speciation pattern in which two populations become different species while in contact along a common border
Example: Giant velvet walking worm and blind velvet walking worm in Tasmania.
What is Phylogeny?
Evolutionary history of a species or group of species
It reflects the evolutionary relationships and characteristics among species.
What is a phylogenetic tree?
A diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships between different organisms or groups based on similarities in their characteristic features
It visually represents the connections and divergences in evolution.
What are homologous structures?
Body parts that appear similar in separate lineages because they evolved in a common ancestor
These structures indicate evolutionary relationships.
What is Divergent evolution?
Morphological divergence; evolutionary pattern in which a body part of an ancestor changes in its descendants
This leads to the development of different species from a common ancestor.
What is convergent evolution?
The independent evolution of similar body parts in different lineages
This results in analogous structures that serve similar functions but evolved separately.
What are analogous structures?
Body parts that look alike but evolved independently after lineages diverged
These structures arise from convergent evolution.
How can a phylogenetic tree be built?
Using sequence similarity between genes and proteins
This method provides insights into evolutionary relationships at the molecular level.
Can you find at least two characteristic features common between developing embryos of different species?
Common features include:
* Similar early developmental stages
* Presence of pharyngeal pouches
These similarities suggest common ancestry among species.
