Concept explainers
What distinguishes a morphospecies?
a. It has distinctive characteristics, such as size, shape, or coloration.
b. It represents a distinct twig in a phylogeny of populations.
c. It is reproductively isolated from other species.
d. It is a fossil from a distinct time in Earth history.
Introduction:
Morphology confers to the study of the structures and forms of the organisms, that involves their functions, in order to classify the organisms. Furthermore, morphology can be classified as functional morphology, molecular morphology, anatomy morphology, comparative morphology, and several other branches of morphology.
Answer to Problem 1TYK
Correct answer:
A morphospecies has distinct characteristics including color, shape, and size. The concept of the morphospecies is helpful in the identification of the morphological features of the organisms.
Explanation of Solution
Justification for the correct answer:
Option (a) is given as distinction in the size, shape, and coloration. The term “morphospecies” has originated from morphology, which is used to indicate the difference in the body structure of the organisms; it could be color, size, or shape. It is based on the concept that isolated and independent gene flow results in the development of distinguished phenotypic features. Hence, option (a) is correct.
Justification for the incorrect answers:
Option (b) is given as the representation of a distinct twig in a population phylogeny. However, morphospecies is a term used to describe different species rather than a defining a branch in phylogenetic population (relation to the ancestors). So, it is a wrong answer.
Option (c) is given as representation of reproductive isolation from another species. A morphospecies cannot be distinguished based on the reproductive isolation as none of the two different species can reproduce together. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option (d) is given as it is a fossil from some distinct time in the history of earth. A fossil is a preserved form of any individual, which is formed over a long period of time. A morphospecies is not a fossil that belongs to a distinct period of earth. So, it is a wrong answer.
Hence, options (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect.
Thus, it can be concluded that the morphospecies can be distinguished on the basis of its size, shape, and color.
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Chapter 27 Solutions
Biological Science, (Looseleaf)-With Access
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- Concepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax College