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Speciation

The emergence of new species


(macroevolution)
Defining a Species
• Taxonomy: branch of biology that names
and classifies species and groups into
broader categories (DKPCOFGS)
• Linnaeus: botanist that introduced the
binomial system of naming organisms
• Scientific name: Genus species
– Ex. Humans: Homo sapiens
Definitions of Species
• Biological species concept: based on
reproductive isolation
• Morphological species concept: based
on physical traits (morphology)
• Ecological species concept: based on
ecological niches
• Phylogenetic species concept: based
on common ancestors
Reproductive Barriers
• Pre-zygotic Barriers: prevent mating or
fertilization between species
• Post-zygotic Barriers: operate after
hybrids are formed
Pre-zygotic Barriers
• Temporal: timing
• Habitat: live in different places
• Behavioral: no sexual attraction
• Mechanical: parts don’t fit
• Gametic: gametes die or fail to unite
Post-zygotic Barriers
• Reduced hybrid viability: hybrids fail to
develop
• Reduced hybrid fertility: hybrids are
produced, but are sterile
• Hybrid breakdown: hybrids are fertile,
but their offspring (the next generation) are
weak or infertile
Mechanisms of Speciation
• Allopatric speciation: populations are
separated by a geographical barrier; is the
most common mechanism of speciation
• Sympatric speciation: no geographic
isolation; mating and gene flow is reduced
by factors such as polyploidy, habitat
selection, and sexual selection
Allopatric Speciation
Sympatric Speciation
Hybrid Zones
• Regions where members of different
species meet and mate, producing some
hybrid offspring
• Ex. Baltimore orioles and Bullock’s orioles
• Results?
– Fusion: speciation process reverses due to
gene flow
– Stability: each species maintains its own
integrity, but hybrids are still produced
Male Baltimore oriole (left); Female
Bullock’s oriole (right)
When do most new species arise?
• After mass extinctions, previously
occupied niches are opened.
• New species can now fill new habitats or
roles in their community.
• The evolution of many diverse species
from a common ancestor is called
adaptive radiation.
Ex. The radiation of mammals after the
extinction of the dinosaurs
Adaptive Radiation
How fast can speciation occur?
• Punctuated equilibrium: long periods of little change
(equilibrium), punctuated by abrupt episodes of
speciation
• Gradualism: differences gradually evolve in populations
as they become adapted to their local environments
• The fossil record tends to support the punctuated model
more than gradualism
• How long does speciation take? A survey of 84 groups
of plants and animals show a time range of 4,000 to 40
million years with an average of around 6.5 million years
and rarely less than 500,000 years.

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