Chapter 22

Species
1) Biological species
a. A species is a population or group of
populations whose members:
i. have the potential to interbreed with one
another in nature
ii. can produce viable offspring
iii. Can produce fertile offspring
b. A species is the largest unit in which genetic
exchange is possible
c. A species must be genetically isolated from
other populations
2. Reproductive barriers
a. reproductive barriers preserve the integrity
of a species
b. there are two ways that barriers can be put
up to a limit or stop the exchange of
genetic material
c prezygotic barriers
i. prezygotic= before the zygote
ii. these barriers are things that impede
mating or
iii. hinder fertilization if mating is attempted
iv. Habitat isolation
1)Two species will not have a
chance to mate because
they live in different places

2) Example: Grand Canyon
has different squirrel
species on the North South
Rims
v. Behavioral isolation
1) species do not recognize each other as a
potential mates because of behavioral
differences
2) Example: two anatomically similar species,
but mating rituals are different

Blue-footed
booby,
performing
elaborate
dance to show
off bright blue
feet
vi. Temporal isolation
1) species are active at different times
2) examples: different diurnal cycles or
different mating season
vii. Mechanical isolation
1) two species are anatomically incompatible
viii. Gametic Isolation
1) mating can occur, but gametes dont fuse
2) sperm cannot survive in environment
of ova
D. Postzygotic barriers
i. fertilization occurs, but zygote does not
become a viable, fertile adult
ii. Reduced hybrid viability
1) viable means surviving
2) spontaneous abortions may occur
iii. Reduced hybrid fertility
1) zygote is viable, but sterile or
2) first generation is viable and fertile, second
is sterile
3) this is called a hybrid breakdown
4) mules are example

3. This definition of species cannot be used in
all situations
a. since a species must be produced in nature;
i. definition cannot apply to hybrids that
are artificially produced
ii. Organisms produced in zoos or other
non-natural settings are not considered
new species
b. the definition cannot be used for organisms
that are asexual
i. organisms that reproduce this way do not
combine gene from two individuals
ii. New species arise largely by mutation or other
mechanisms
c. it cannot be used for extinct forms
i. extinct forms can only by judged on their anatomy.
ii. we have no way to answer questions about hybrid viability or
fertility
d. for asexual or extinct organisms, taxonomists still must use the traditional
methods such as morphology.
4. Barriers which isolate populations long enough
to create new species can also be divided
into two categories
a. allopatric speciation
i. patria = country in Latin allo- =
other
ii. In this form of speciation, the initial block to
gene flow is geographical
iii. Populations are physically isolated- they
evolve in other countries
iv. Which types of barriers in #2 are allopatric?
b. Sympatric speciation
i. sym = along with or together
ii. A subpopulation becomes reproductively
isolated in the midst of its parent
population
iii. Which barriers in #2 are sympatric