Evolution, Speciation, and Extinction

Flashcards covering key concepts related to evolution, speciation, and extinction.

What is speciation?

Speciation is the formation of new species.

What are the two main concepts of what constitutes a species?

The morphological concept, based on distinguishing traits, and the biological species concept, which defines a species as a group capable of interbreeding.

What is the evolutionary species concept?

The evolutionary species concept recognizes each independent lineage as a species and criteria for recognition includes actual genetic isolation.

How does the phylogenetic species concept define a species?

A species shares unique, derived (synapomorphic) characters.

What is genetic drift?

Genetic drift is a random occurrence in a small population that can significantly impact evolutionary changes.

What are the two types of speciation?

Allopatric speciation, which occurs through geographical isolation, and sympatric speciation, which occurs within continuous populations.

What is the Red Queen Hypothesis?

The Red Queen Hypothesis suggests that species must continuously evolve to adapt to changing environments, symbolizing a race with no winners.

What are examples of human-induced extinctions?

Examples include the Passenger pigeon, great auk, and Carolina parakeet.

What causes mass extinctions according to the fossil record?

Mass extinctions can be caused by events like rapid climate changes, continental drift, and impact of asteroids.

What is convergent evolution?

Convergent evolution is the development of similar traits in unrelated species that live in similar environments.