BIOL 243 Chapter Notes - Chapter 22: Species Problem, Ecological Niche, Reproductive Isolation
5 Apr 2015
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Key concept: species are reproductively isolated from one another. Species are capable of changing, giving rise through evolution to new species. Same species have ability to exchange genetic material and produce fertile offspring. Species = ex: mutation spreads within the species, but not beyond it (cid:0) its the ultimate evolutionary unit. species can go extinct or give rise to new species (through genetic divergence) The species is the fundamental evolutionary unit. Species are groups of interbreeding populations, reproductively isolated from others. Reproductive compatibility same species producing offsprings = reproductively compatible. Entails offspring must be fertile (capable of passing on genes) Shortcomings can"t easily test hybridity in the field can"t tell whether 2 organisms mate and if they do, whether their offspring is fertile in a reasonable fashion (time/resources) Does not apply to asexual or extinct organisms. No asexual species bcuz bsc is based on sexual exchange of genetic information. No extinct species becuz bsc depends on reproduction.
