Speciation and Evolution

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to speciation and evolution concepts.

Geographic Isolation

Separation of populations due to physical barriers, leading to speciation.

Behavioral Isolation

Differences in mating behaviors or rituals that prevent species from interbreeding.

Temporal Isolation

Differences in timing of reproduction or flowering among species, preventing interbreeding.

Microevolution

Change in allele frequency in a population over time (generations).

Macroevolution

The origination of new taxonomic groups, including the formation of new species.

Biological Species Concept

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

Reproductive Isolation

Biological barriers that impede successful interbreeding between different species.

Pre-zygotic Barriers

Reproductive barriers that prevent fertilization from occurring.

Post-zygotic Barriers

Reproductive barriers that occur after fertilization, affecting hybrid viability or fertility.

Allopatric Speciation

Speciation that occurs when populations are geographically isolated.

Sympatric Speciation

Speciation that occurs without physical separation of populations, often in the same geographic area.

Punctuated Equilibrium

The theory that species remain relatively unchanged for long periods, with bursts of rapid change.

Phyletic Gradualism

The theory that evolution occurs slowly and steadily over long periods of time.

Phylogenetic Species Concept

Defines a species as the smallest group of individuals that share a common ancestor.

Ecological Species Concept

Defines a species in terms of its ecological niche, emphasizing environmental selection.