Species Flashcards
how are new species discovered?
- through work on museum collections & actually classifying their samples
- through phylogenetic/genetic studies
- through insights from traditional knowledge
- through fieldwork
argument for species being real?
- Discreteness argument: variation in nature is noticeably discontinuous, statistically the variation identifies clusters of organisms
- Accumulating evidence argument: long recognized species mostly stand up to further scientific study
- Origin of species argument: species arise by speciation, so species must be real because speciation is a real process.
define Species Concept
a species concept is a generalization of the ideas/criteria that we think identify what a species is defined as.
what do all species concepts have in common?
they all fundamentally describe units that are reproductive communities
- include forces that establish and reinforce boundaries between species
- the history of connections among individuals and populations
- traits distinguish different species
define Biological Species Concept (BSC)
A species consists of groups of actually or potentially interbreeding populations of organisms that are reproductively isolated from other such groups
- emphasizes reproductive barriers that prevent or reduce gene flow between sets of populations
what is BSC challenged by?
- asexual reproduction – asexual species are not addressed under this concept
- hybridization – how much interbreeding is allowed between species before they’re considered “one” species?
- potential vs actual interbreeding – what if populations would actually interbreed but they are geographically separated?
define Phylogenetic Species Concept (PSC)
Describes a species as a monophyletic set of populations (if sexual) or lineages (if asexual). On a phylogenetic tree, species would be the units at the tips of the tree.
what is PSC challenged by?
- “species” that originate more than once?
- levels of monophyly - what distinguishes a species from other taxonomic levels or populations
- hybridization
define Ecological Species Concept (ESC)
A species is a lineage (or closely related set of lineages) which occupies an adaptive zone minimally different from that of any other lineages in its range and which evolves separately from all lineages outside its range
- essentially described species as groups that occupy different ecological niches.
- can be applied to both asexual and sexual groups
what is ESC challenged by?
it is unclear how different niches have to make a distinction between species
define Genotypic Cluster Species Concept (GCSC)
Sympatric species are clusters of genotypes circumscribed by gaps in the range of possible multilocus genotypes between them
- species are characterized as having distinct trait clusters
- involves assessing patterns of genetic/trait variation, specifically looking for evidence of distinct clusters
- incorporates evidence for maintenance of distinct gene pools in face of potential or actual gene flow
what is GCSC challenged by?
- asexual lineages
- levels of differentiation - how are populations different from species?
define Evolutionary Species Concept (EvSC)
A lineage of ancestor-descendant populations of organisms which maintains its identity from other such lineages (in space and time) and which has its own evolutionary tendencies and historical fate.
why is it important to have a widely accepted definition of “species”?
the establishment of legislation to protect species requires a clear definition of what constitutes a species in order to protect affected populations in question
define Reproductive Isolation
- reproductive isolation prevents or reduces interbreeding between sets of populations through the action of one or more isolating barriers.
- it provides the mechanisms that prevent species from merging i.e. maintains the separation of species
- it defines the reproductive community within which interbreeding brings about species cohesion
Reproductive Isolation vs. isolating barriers
Reproductive isolation is the reduction in gene exchange between populations/species due to the action of one or more isolating barriers
An isolation barrier is a specific mechanism that acts at a specific stage to reduce or prevent gene flow.
Isolating barriers are evaluated by comparing the success of hybridization events to the success of intraspecific mating.