Taxonomic Units for Conservation

Question 1

Evolutionary distinctiveness is a concern for conservationists

Answer 1

1) Unrecognised endangered species might go extinct
2) Incorrectly diagnosed species might hybridise
3) Resources might be wasted on abundant species
4) Legal protection may be denied to endangered species

Question 2

What is a species

Answer 2

No universal agreement on a definition as 22 different ones exist. Biological species concept has been the most influential in conservation biology

Question 3

Evolutionary species concept

Answer 3

‘An entity composed of organisms which maintains its identity from other such entities through time over and space, and which has its own independent evolutionary fate and historical tendencies’

Question 4

What is a sub- species?

Answer 4

Very subjective.
A) Share unique geographical or habitat ranges
B) Are distinguishable from other groups by multiple, independent, genetically based traits.
C) Can produce fertile offspring, but they often show reduced fitness.
Probably observing populations part way through speciation.

Question 5

Evolutionary Significant Units

Answer 5

Populations within species may be on the path to speciation, should they be managed separately.
ESU decision must be based on: Cost of managing 2 populations over 1, Risk of out-breeding depression if lumped together and the possible benefits of hybridising the populations together.

Question 6

Criticisms of ESUs

Answer 6

ESUs may go undetected in species with high gene flow, even though populations may have adaptive differences. Alternatively. a species with low gene flow may contain populations that have genetically differentiated by genetic drift alone.