Biology 1001A Chapter 19: Chapter 19 – Species and Macroevolution
29 Nov 2016
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Document Summary
Species: a population of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. The working definition depends on the organisms to which it is applied. Taxonomy: the science that identifies, names, and classifies new species. Species are assigned a latinized two-part name: first part identifies the genus (a group of species with similar characteristics), second part is the specific epithet. Never used without a full or abbreviated generic name preceding it: each species has a unique name. Used to classify thousands of species on the basis of their morphological similarities and differences. Comprised of a series of formal categories: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species, subspecies. Organisms included within any category comprise a taxon. All individuals of a species share measurable traits that distinguish them from individuals of other species. Can present problems (lots of variation, closely related species, etc. Tell us little about the evolutionary processes that produce new species.
