microevolutionary processes will
alter the pattern and extent of genetic and phenotypic variation within populations
speciation
smallest evolutionary independent unit
the process of species formation
WOULDN’T REPRODUCE W/ ANOTHER SPECIES
- genetics are too different it would create a nonviable offspring
- if they can interbreed fine then they aren’t different species
Morphological definition of a species
PRO: works for extinct (fossils) or living species
i.e. field guides for plants/birds use this information
macroevolution
occurs at or above the species level
Mutation, NS, migration, and drift causes populations to diverge and form new species…. these can only be beneficial if
isolated
different species follow
different evolutionary trajectories
speciation has never been DIRECTLY observed in nature or a lab, but there are many examples of where populations become so divergent that they can no longer exchange genetic material and become distinct species
example: stickleback (isolated in freshwater)
a lack of gene flow
can also be described as speciation
Disadvantages for morphological definition
morphology does not help distinguish some closely related species that are nearly identical in appearance
{MALARD}
male = green
female = beige
(we initially thought they were 2 different species)
- individuals may look different subtle ways
- can vary by sex, geography, which makes them look different
- could have subtle differences that WE must generalize
Diagnostic Characters
Warblers:
these birds can look very similar but they actually have subtle differences
= diagnostic character
= experts can see these
- distinguished species via feather colour on throat and rump
Biological Species Concept
advantage:
Disadvantages for biological species concept
Phylogenetic Species definition
PRO:
- can be applied to any group of organisms including extinct ones (if u have morphological {fossils} or genetic data)
Disadvantages of Phylogenetic Species
= if you don’t have a strong data set you probably cant compare them to a lot of things
Geographical Variation
Gene Flow and Geographical variation
(populations living far away)
Individuals from different subspecies will
interbreed where their distribution meets
What is geographical variation
2 versions
patterns of geographic and studies that examine how the variation related to climatic or habitat variation provide insights into the speciation process
Two of the best studied patterns are:
- ring species [salamander case study]
- clinal variation [house sparrow case study]
how does climate and habitat provide insight into speciation
Ring species
b) but in general, the populations are so divergent they’re separate species
Salamanders and being Ring species
What would happen if one of the salamander species came back to the ring
clinical variation
CLINE= pattern of smooth variation in a trait along a geographic gradient (continuous connection amongst all populations)
clinial variation is due to
mechanisms of genetic isolation
*how do species form?
1) initial step isolates the population
2) next step results in divergence in traits such as mating system or habitat use
3) final step produces reproductive isolation
final phase: