ANTHRO 7 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Species Problem, Reproductive Isolation, Daphne Major
Document Summary
Microevolution: evolution of populations within a species. How populations change under the influence of natural selection and other evolutionary forces. Affect the morphology, physiology, and behavior of particular species in particular environments. E. g. responsible for variation in the size and shape of the beaks of finches on daphne major. Macroevolution: evolution of new species, families, and higher taxa. Species can usually be distinguished by their behavior and morphology. Individual organisms in a species similar to each other and distinct from other species. E. g. two species of apes - chimpanzees and gorillas are similar: tailless, bear weight on knuckles; however, can easily be distinguished on basis of morphology. Chimps are smaller and have more rounded skulls and differ in behavior. Defines a biological species as a group of organisms that interbreed in nature and are reproductively isolated. Reproductive isolation: members of a given group of organisms do not mate successfully with organisms outside the group.
