Module 1 - Introduction to the Study of Organismic Biology Flashcards
Systematics
study of diversification
Phylogenetics
study of evolutionary relationships
Phylogenies
hypotheses of evolutionary relationships that are based on data
What does a node represent on a phylogenetic tree?
inferred common ancestors
Sister species
species that share a more recent common ancestry with each other than other species
Homoplasy
shared traits irrespective of common ancestry that arise through convergent evolution - organisms that aren’t related yet share the same traits
Monophyletic groups
an ancestral group and all of its descendants aka natural groups
Paraphyletic groups
ancestral species and miss some of its descendants aka unnatural groups
Polyphyletic groups
unrelated taxa
Alpha taxonomy
goal to correctly identify the species - it deals with the tips of the phylogeny
Species
smallest evolutionary unit
What causes a change in species?
Reproductive isolation, mutation, natural selection, gene flow, and genetic drift
Ecotype
species genetically altered to fit its environment
Morphological Species Concept
groups organisms based on physical characteristics - however there are too many traits to consider, it can be subjective, and cryptic species man not be recognized
Phylogenetic Species Concept
groups organisms based on the smallest monophyletic group - which relies on genetic divergence among groups of organisms, it could also inflate the number of species
Biological Species Concept
groups organisms based on reprodutive isolation - organisms may look related physically but that doesn’t mean they can breed together
Evolutionary Lineage Species Concept
groups organisms based on their immediate ancestral species
Ecological Species Concept
groups organisms based on their ecological niche
Reproductive Isolation
cannot successfully breed with each other
Prezygotic isolating mechanisms
prevents zygote from forming - species never contact each other, mate at different times, or have different mating behaviours
Postzygotic isolating mechanisms
prevents the growth of a zygote after fertilization - the egg cannot develop, offspring is fertile, or offspring have genetic abnormalities
Mechanical Isolation
species genitalia is not compatible
Gametic Isolation
species gametes are not compatible
Ring Species
reproductive isolation between interconnected populations