2.1 Species and Populations Flashcards
Hierarchy
a system of organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority. In such a system, entities are arranged in a pyramid-like structure with the highest level of authority at the top.
King Phillip Came Over From Greater Spain
An mnemonic to remember the levels of the taxonomic hierarchy: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
Rules for species notation
Italics (or underlined if hand written).
Genus with a capital. Species in lower case.
Species
a group of living organisms that share common characteristics and can breed with one another to produce fertile offspring.
Binomial system of classification
A unique genus/species combination to denote an individual “species”
Nomenclature
The methodical, systematic way of naming organisms.
The way in which something is named.
Challenges with using common names
Some species can be known by different (multiple) common names
Two species might have the same common name
Undescribed (species)
A species that has not undergone formal classification/naming and standardization.
Why there are more insects than any other taxa
Small, fast reproducers, numerous offspring, resistant/tolerant of a wide range of conditions, can remain dormant for long periods, can fly etc etc
Dichotomous Key
a tool that allows the identification of organisms. It is called “dichotomous” because at each step, the key presents two choices (either/or) about the characteristics of the organism or object.
No-nos when designing or using a dichotomous key
- Aways start at “number 1”
- No behavioral or habitat traits
Organism (Ecological Hierarchy)
the basic, individual units of biological structure and function, interacting with each other in populations
Population (Ecological Hierarchy)
individuals of the same species living in a specific area, sharing genetic material and interacting within their environment, contributing to the structure and dynamics of ecological communities.
Between “organism” and “community” in the ecological hierarchy.
Community (Ecological Hierarchy)
a group of interacting populations of different species living together in a particular area, forming a network of relationships that influence each other’s distribution, abundance, and evolutionary adaptation.
Between “population” and “ecosystem” in the ecological hierarchy.
Ecosystem (Ecological Hierarchy)
Between “community” and “biome” in the ecological hierarchy, and in which the biotic factors interact with the abiotic factors of an environment.
Ecological Hierarchy
Organism –> Population –> Community –> Ecosystem –> Biome –> Biosphere
Biotic Factors
The living components of an ecosystem.
Plants and animals (and dead or decomposing organic matter)
Abiotic Factors
The non-living parts of an ecosystem. Rocks, soil, water, air.
Habitat
The non-living parts of an ecosystem.
The physical space occupied by an organism from which it sources resources such as shelter and food.
Niche vs habitat
A habitat is the place an organism occupies in an ecosystem, whereas a niche is its role or function.
Predation
One animal (the predator) kills and consumes another (the prey) for sustenance.
Herbivory
When a herbivore consumes a plant for sustenance.
Intraspecies competition
Two members of the same species competing for a shared resource, such as food or reproductive partners.
Different from interspecies competition, which involves competition between two different species.
Interspecies competition
Members of two different species competing for a shared resource such as food or space.
Different from intraspecies competition which involves competition within the same species.
