Evolutionary Patterns

Flashcards on evolutionary patterns, including homologous characters, homoplasy (convergent evolution, mimicry, evolutionary reversals), mosaic evolution, saltatory changes, allometry, reduction in complexity, and adaptive radiation.

Evolutionary Change

Features evolve from pre-existing features.

Homologous characters

Characters inherited from an equivalent organ in the common ancestor.

Convergent evolution

Superficially similar features formed by different developmental pathways.

Mimicry

Features of one species evolve to resemble another species.

Batesian mimicry

Harmless species evolves resemblance to a dangerous species.

Müllerian mimicry

Two or more dangerous species evolve similar characteristics.

Evolutionary reversals

Evolution of a derived trait back to more like the ancestral trait.

Mosaic evolution

Suites of traits evolve at different rates within a lineage.

Saltatory changes

Large jumps in evolutionary change.

Allometry

Differential growth rates of different parts of an organism during development.

Reduction in complexity

Reduction and loss of characters is a common evolutionary pattern.

Adaptive radiation

Diversification of a taxon into many ecological roles in a short amount of time.

Ontogenic Changes

Ontogeny refers to to the development of an organism

Von Baer Law

More inclusive taxon features appear in ontogeny before specific features (Karl Earnest 1828)

Allometry

Diff growth rates of different parts of an organism as it grows.

-human head grow slower than body

-Reduction in complexity