Species/Evol

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture about the origin of species and evolutionary concepts.

Microevolution

Changes in allele frequency in a population over time.

Macroevolution

Broad patterns of evolutionary change above the species level.

Reproductive Isolation

Biological factors that impede two species from producing viable, fertile offspring.

Biological Species Concept

A species is a group of populations whose members can interbreed in nature and produce viable, fertile offspring.

Prezygotic Barriers

Factors that impede mating or fertilization between different species before fertilization.

Postzygotic Barriers

Factors that prevent hybrid offspring from developing into viable, fertile adults after fertilization.

Allopatric Speciation

Formation of a new species while geographically isolated from its parent population.

Sympatric Speciation

A new species forms from a subset of a population without geographic separation.

Ecological Species Concept

Defines a species in terms of its ecological niche.

Minimum Viable Population (MVP)

The minimum population size at which a species can survive.

Extinction Vortex

The process through which small populations become increasingly prone to extinction.

Polyploidy

A condition of having more than two complete sets of chromosomes, often seen in plants.

Hybrid Vigor

When hybrids have increased biological quality compared to their parents.

Gene Flow

The transfer of genetic material between populations.

Morphological Species Concept

Defines a species by structural features.

Phylogenetic Species Concept

Defines a species as the smallest group of individuals on a phylogenetic tree.

Habitat Isolation

When species occupy different habitats and cannot interbreed.

Temporal Isolation

Species breed at different times, preventing interbreeding.

Behavioral Isolation

Courtship rituals unique to a particular species that prevent mating.

Mechanical Isolation

Anatomical differences prevent species from mating.

Gametic Isolation

Sperm and egg of different species are incompatible.

Reduced Hybrid Viability

Hybrids fail to develop properly or reach maturity.

Hybrid Breakdown

1st generation hybrids are fertile, but their offspring are weak or sterile.