Evidence of Evolution & Intro to Systematics

A set of flashcards based on the key concepts from the notes on evolution, systematics, and taxonomy.

What is the biological species concept?

The biological species concept defines species as groups of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other species.

What are prezygotic mechanisms?

Prezygotic mechanisms prevent mating or fertilization between different species before the zygote forms.

What is temporal isolation?

Temporal isolation occurs when species breed at different times.

What is behavioral isolation?

Behavioral isolation occurs when species have different courtship rituals or mating signals.

What is mechanical isolation?

Mechanical isolation occurs when differences in physical structures prevent mating between species.

What is hybrid inviability or sterility?

Hybrid inviability or sterility refers to postzygotic reproductive isolation where the hybrid offspring are either unable to develop properly or are sterile.

What is disruptive selection?

Disruptive selection favors extreme phenotypes at both ends of a trait spectrum.

What is convergent evolution?

Convergent evolution is when species from different evolutionary lineages evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.

What is homology?

Homology refers to traits inherited from a common ancestor.

What are vestigial traits?

Vestigial traits are remnants of features that served a function in the organism’s ancestors.

What are the three domains of life?

The three domains of life are Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

What is systematics?

Systematics is the study of evolutionary relationships among biological groups.

What is a cladogram?

A cladogram is a diagram that shows the evolutionary relationships among species based on shared derived characteristics.

What is the ecological species concept?

The ecological species concept states that a species is a population adapted to a particular set of resources or niche.

What is phylogenetic species concept?

The phylogenetic species concept defines a species as any population that is characterized by shared derived characters.

What is the significance of molecular clocks in phylogenetics?

Molecular clocks use the rate of genetic mutations to estimate the time of divergence between species.

What is homoplasy?

Homoplasy occurs when traits are similar due to convergent evolution and not from a shared ancestor.