Concept explainers
To determine: The types of organisms that do not fit easily into the biological species concept.
Introduction The process that involves in the generation of new and unique forms of life is referred to as
To determine: The species concept that would work best for asexual organisms.
Introduction The process that involves in the generation of new and unique forms of life is referred to as speciation. A species indicate a closed gene pool, in which various alleles are shared only among the members of that species. In general, alleles are not shared with the members of other species. The most widely accepted and used the definition of a species is called the biological species concept (BSC). Ernst Mayr (1904 – 2005), the great evolutionary biologist, described the BSC.
As the biological species concept is based on reproduction, obviously this concept cannot be applied to extinct species that are known through fossil records alone. For example, various “species” of dinosaurs and trilobites.
Morphospecies concept: This concept states that members belonging to the same species generally look alike. Thus, the similarities in the morphological characters of the given group of organisms can be used to determine species (all belong to a single species or two different species). This concept can be applied for extinct as well as asexual species.
Phylogenetic species concept (PSC): This concept accentuates that all the members belonging to a species share a common fate and common ancestry. This concept can be applied for extinct as well as asexual species.
Ecological species concept (ESC): This concept states that there is an exclusive connection between a niche and its species. ESC can be used to describe asexual species on the basis of its ecological characteristics, such as its nutritional needs.
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ACHIEVE FOR BIOLOGY:HOW LIFE WORKS-EBOOK
- What is a species, according to the biological species concept? Using at least 3 examples, please explain why this definition is not always practical for all species.arrow_forwardWhile there are many criteria to describe the difference between two species, the biological definition of a species is based on being part of?arrow_forwardThe biological species concept defines a species by its morphology. In other words all members of the same species look alike? True or false?arrow_forward
- Which species concept defines a species as a group of individuals that can reproduce and produce fertile offspring? Morphological species concept Darwinian species concept Phylogenetic species concept Biological species conceptarrow_forwardDistinguish between morphological, phylogenetic, and biological species concepts. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? What notion is common to each of the species definitions that we considered?arrow_forwardWhat are the similarities and difference between genealogical, morphological, and biological species concept?arrow_forward
- Explain the biological species concept. Why is it not a perfect definition of a species?arrow_forwardTwo biologists are arguing at a conference. One says that the Biological Species Concept (BSC) is superior. Her colleague argues that a different species concept is needed. Which of the following claims of the biologist are true and which are false? 1. The BSC potentially would work for all multicellular organisms. 2. A Morphological Species Concept would work better for cryptic species than the BSC. 3. If two populations of snails are separated by a huge distance, they cannot mate. This means the BSC cannot apply to them.arrow_forwardWhat notion is common to the morphologicall species concept, the biological species concept and the phylogenetic species concept?arrow_forward
- The biological species concept is based on the assumption that species are reproductively isolated and do not share genes. And yet a number of organisms that are considered different species hybridize (mate and exchange genes). Hybridization between different species is more common in plants than in animals. Propose some possible reasons for this difference.arrow_forwardWhat type of species concept would you use to classify extinct species that only exist in fossils? Biological species concept Phylogenetic species concept Ecological species concept Morphological species concept Interactive species conceptarrow_forwardFor each of the following organism scenarios, select the species concept that is most applicable for distinguishing species. Bacteria African elephants Fossil organisms Closely related bird species occupying different habitats [Choose ] [Choose ] [Choose ] [Choose ] ◄► ◄►arrow_forward
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