1 Species Concept

Question 1

Why do we need to know what a
species is?

Answer 1

• Utility
• Basic rank of classification
• Order and retrieve information on individual specimens in collections or data banks.
• Species are important in biodiversity issues

Question 2

Delimit groups of organisms along natural fault lines, so that approximately the same groupings can be recovered by independent observers.

Answer 2

Utility

Question 3

Species are important in biodiversity issues

Answer 3

• Conservation, ecology, legislation concerns focus on this level
• Something quantifiable

Question 4

What is the study of life?

Answer 4

Biology

Question 5

Species Concept:

• A species is a population or group of populations whose members have the potential to interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
• Reproductive barriers prevent gene flow
  between 2 different species

Answer 5

Biological Species Concept

Question 6

2 Types of Reproductive Barriers between Species

Answer 6

• Prezygotic Barriers
• Postzygotic Barriers

Question 7

Reproductive Barriers between Species (Prezygotic):

different areas with physical barrier

Answer 7

Geographical Isolation

Question 8

Reproductive Barriers between Species (Prezygotic):

same area but different habitats

Answer 8

Ecological Isolation

Question 9

Reproductive Barriers between Species (Prezygotic):

different mating times

Answer 9

Temporal isolation

Question 10

Reproductive Barriers between Species (Prezygotic):

no sexual attraction

Answer 10

Behavioral isolation

Question 11

Reproductive Barriers between Species (Prezygotic):

incompatible mating organs

Answer 11

Mechanical isolation

Question 12

incompatible gametes

Answer 12

Gametic isolation

Question 13

Reproductive barriers between species (Postzygotic):

hybrids do not survive

Answer 13

Hybrid inviability

Question 14

Reproductive barriers between species (Postzygotic):

hybrids do not produce
functional gametes

Answer 14

Hybrid sterility

Question 15

Reproductive barriers between species (Postzygotic):

offspring of hybrids are
weak or infertile

Answer 15

Hybrid breakdown

Question 16

Different definitions of the species concept:

• Difficult to apply on organisms which are not known to undergo sexual reproduction or where sexual barriers cannot be determined

Answer 16

Biological species concept

Question 17

Different definitions of the species concept:

• Used gaps in morphology to delimit species
• Criterion can be extended to ecology, behaviour or genetics

Answer 17

Morphological species concept

Question 18

Morphological Diagnosis Limitations.

Answer 18

• phenotypic plasticity and genetic variability.
• morphologically cryptic taxa overlooked.
• morphological keys are life stage and/or gender selective.
• demands high level of expertise.

Question 19

Different definitions of the species concept:

• A species is a cluster of organisms
  that represent a genealogy or a
  lineage of descent.

Answer 19

Evolutionary species concept

Question 20

It identifies unknown individuals through
DNA sequences

Answer 20

DNA barcoding

Question 21

Methodology of DNA Barcoding

Answer 21

• DNA extraction
• PCR amplification
• DNA sequencing

Question 22

Applications of DNA Barcoding

Answer 22

• discovery of new species
• biodiversity assessment
• phylogenetic studies of closely related taxa.
• regulation of export/import of endangered species.

Question 23

Different definitions of the species concept:

• Proponents: van Valen, Mayr, George Evelyn Hutchinson
• It is where you are and what you are doing that matters.
• Occupancy of an ecological niche

Answer 23

Ecological species concept

Question 24

the entirety of environmental factors that tend to suit and allow an animal or plant species to survive in its habitat; the way of life of a species.

Answer 24

Occupancy of an ecological niche

Question 25

Objections to the species concept:

Species are not individual real objects but instead are _________.

Answer 25

manmade constructs.

Question 26

________ are in the front line of species identification.

Answer 26

Taxonomists

Question 27

Classification is not the basic biological concept, D___ o_ L___ is.

Answer 27

Diversity of Life

Question 28

What is it important to study the similarities and differences of organisms?

Answer 28

So that they can be use to better understand the changes that occurred among organisms through time.