Species
Members of interbreeding populations that are reproductively isolated from other groups and therefore evolve independently
Prezygotic barriers -Prevention of fertilization
Block fertilization by:
Impeding different species from attempting to mate
Preventing the successful completion of mating
Hindering fertilization if mating is successful
Postzygotic barriers - reproductive isolation
Block fertilization by:
Reduced hybrid viability
Reduced hybrid fertility
Hybrid breakdown
Allopatric Speciation
Evolution of a population into 2 new populations due to physical barrier:
a result of division by a physical barrier. i.e a dam, a mountain, a river, causing GENE FLOW DISRUPTION
(15 pairs of sibling species of snapping shrimp originated from the separation of the Atlantic and Pacific waters)
Sympatric Speciation
Evolution of populations within the same geographic area into separate species i.e. diploid/tetraploid tree frogs in the U.S
no physical barrier to gene flow
often due to chromosomal change (polyploidy)
can also be a result of new ecological niches
can also be driven by SEXUAL SELECTION
Gradualism
Evolution occurs at a slow, steady rate, with small adaptive changes gradually accumulating over time in populations. Species originate through a gradual change of adaptations (not as well supported by fossil evidence)
Punctuated Equilibrium
Environmental changes lead to rapid changes in the gene pool of a small population that is reproductively isolated from the main population. (supported by fossil evidence)
Speciation
formation of an entirely new species
focal point of evolutionary theory
Biological species concept
A species is a group of populations whose members have the potential to interbreed in nature and produce viable, fertile offspring; they do not breed successfully with other populations
Gene flow between populations holds the phenotype of a population together
Habitat isolation
Two species encounter each other rarely, or not at all, because they occupy different habitats, even though not isolated by physical barriers
Temporal isolation
Species that breed at different times of the day, different seasons, or different years cannot mix their gametes
Behavioral isolation
Courtship rituals and other behaviors unique to a species are effective barriers
Mechanical isolation
Morphological differences can prevent successful mating
Gametic Isolation
Sperm of one species may not be able to fertilize eggs of another species
Reduced hybrid viability
Genes of the different parent species may interact and impair the hybrid’s development
Reduced hybrid fertility
Even if hybrids are vigorous, they may be sterile
Hybrid breakdown
Some first-generation hybrids are fertile, but when they mate with another species or with either parent species, offspring of the next generation are feeble or sterile
Morphological species concept
Defines species by structural features
Ecological species concept
Views a species in terms of its ecological niche
It applies to sexual and asexual species and emphasizes the role of disruptive selection
Phylogenetic species concept
Defines a species as the smallest group of individuals on a phylogenetic tree
It applies to sexual and asexual species, but it can be difficult to determine the degree of difference required for separate species
Autopolyploid
an individual with more than two chromosome sets derived from ONE SPECIES
Allopolyploid
Species with multiple sets of chromosomes derived from DIFFERENT SPECIES
Hybrid zone
region in which members of different species mate and produce hybrids
Hybrids
result of mating between species with incomplete reproductive barriers
often have reduced fitness compared with parent species
Reinforcement
When reproductive barriers strengthen due to hybrids being less fit than parent species
Reproductive barriers should be stronger for sympatric than allopatric species
Fusion
Occurs when hybrids are as fit as parents
Gene flow has the potential to be substantial
Stability
Extensive gene flow from outside the hybrid zone can overwhelm selection for increased reproductive isolation inside the hybrid zone
Punctuated equilibria
Periods of apparent stasis punctuated by sudden change