7. Evolution - Speciation Flashcards
What is a biological species?
A group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring
What is speciation?
The generation of new biological species by evolution as a result of isolation, mutation and selection
What are geographical barriers and what type of speciation are they important in?
They are when a population is split by sea/river/mountain into two separate ranges then evolves into two new species. They are important in allopatric speciation
What are behavioural or ecological barriers and what type of speciation are they important in?
They are when one population evolves into two species despite living in the same range
What are hybrid zones?
Where the ranges of two closely related species meet