lecture 20 Flashcards
what is microevolution
changes in allele frequencies in a
population (with in the same species)
what is macroevolution
Evolutionary change above the species level
– Includes the origin of a new group of organisms (speciation) or the cumulative evolutionary change over a long period of time
- phenotypic differences are so great that the new species are assigned to different taxonomic categories
what is speciation
the process by which one species splits into 2 or more species, i.e. new species
what must a evolutionary theory explain
how new species originate in addition to how populations evolve
what is a species
Traditionally, morphological differences have been used to distinguish species
what is the biological species concept
a population / group of populations whose members have the potential to breed with each other in nature to produce viable, fertile offspring,
- but who cannot produce viable, fertile offspring with members of other species.
(emphasizes reproductive isolation)
what is reproductive isolation
- the existence of biological factors that impede members of two species from producing viable, fertile hybrid
- Preserves genetic integrity (gene flow prevented)
what are reproductive isolation methods
- prezygotic barriers
- postzygotic barriers
what is a prezygotic barriers
- prevent zygote formation
- Impede mating between species or hinder the fertilization if members of
different species attempt to mate
what is a postzygotic barrier
Often prevent the hybrid zygote from developing into a viable, fertile adult
- zygot is produced, but once developed, cannot reproduce or does not survive
what are the types of prezygotic barriers
- habitat isolation : not same habitat
- temporal isolation: breed at diff times of year
- behavioral isolation: female will only mate with male with a certain courtship ritual
- mechanical isolation: cannot mate
- gametic isolation : sperm will not fertilize egg of another spicies
what are the types of postzygotic barriers
- reduced hybrid viability: hibrid is frail
- reduced hybrid fertility: hybrid cannot reproduce
- hybrid breakdown: hybrid survives, reproduces, but F2 generation is feeble or sterile
who can the biological species concept not be applied to
- asexual organisms
- organisms about which little is known regarding their rep (fossils)
what is the morphological species concept
Characterizes a species in terms of its body shape, size, and other structural features
what is the ecological species concept
Views a species in terms of its ecological niche