macroevolution - exam 4

Question 1

macroevolution

Answer 1

major evolutionary changes over a longer period of time

above population level

Question 2

how can you assess the time interval between speciation events

Answer 2

use fossils & molecular data

Question 3

causes of changes in diversity

Answer 3

intrinsic properties of the species

large scale changes in climate or environment

Question 4

gradualism

Answer 4

slow & steady change

Question 5

punctuated equilibrium

Answer 5

periods of little change interrupted by rapid periods of short change

Question 6

adaptive raadiation

Answer 6

periods of time when many new species formed

often happen when there are ecological niches to fill (after extinctions or new land)

Question 7

conditions for adaptive radiation

Answer 7

availability of ecological niches

isolation or dispersal

rapid evolution

ecological release

new adaptive traits

stable environment

reduced gene flow

Question 8

conditions that promote rapid evolution

Answer 8

high mutation rates

short generation time

strong selective pressures

Question 9

ecological release

Answer 9

when species experience a decrease in competition or predators

undergo ecological release

allows them to exploit new resources

Question 10

how many mass extinctions

Answer 10

5

in the 6th

Question 11

consequences of mass extinctions

Answer 11

open up niches for new species