Ecological Terminology Flashcards
What is taxonomy?
The science of grouping organisms according to similarities in their features
What is a taxonomic group called?
A Taxon
What is the problem with taxonomy?
The grouping is subjective and opinions can change as new information arises
What is an example of an animal that is now considered two different species?
African bush elephant
African forest elephant
What is a species?
A groups of closely related organisms that resemble each other more than members of other groups
What do a species create?
A reproductively isolated group that naturally breed to produce fertile offspring
What prevents most species from producing fertile offspring with other species?
Differences in behaviour would prevent any attempts to mate
Anatomical differences making mating impossible
Differences in number and shape of chromosomes may make fertilisation or cell division impossible
Why Are some different species able to produce offspring?
Very closely related species may be biologically capable or producing offspring but do not naturally do so
What would make different species that can produce offspring mate?
When they are in captivity they are no longer isolated form each other and the mating behavioural patterns breakdown they may produce fertile offspring
How are species named?
Species are given Latin names which are used by ecologists in all countries to avoid confusion
What does the first part f the species name relate to?
To the genus- a group of the most closely related species
What is a genus?
A groups of the most closely related species
What does the second part of the animal name relate to?
Added to identify the individual species within the genus
What is evolution?
The processes that changes the gene pool of a species sometimes separating gene pools which eventually become two or more species
What is evolution driven by?
The increased chance of survival produced by being better adapted to the local conditions than other members of the species
