Jason Bao, Sappington, AP Biology – Period 3, 3 March 2021

Chapter 24 in One Page

Speciation – the origin of new species and represents the focal point of evolutionary theory
Two types of evolution:
Microevolution – changes in allele frequency (small) in a
population over time, usually hones in on a singular event or species
Macroevolution – broad patterns of evolutionary change above
the species level, cumulative effect of many speciation and
extinction events
Patterns of Speciation:
Anagenesis (phyletic evolution) – transformation of an
lineage of organisms to a different state – LINEAR
Cladogenesis (branching evolution) – budding or 1+
species from parent species that continues to exist –
BRANCHED
Reproductive isolation – existence of biological barriers
that impede two species from producing viable, fertile
offspring
Types of Speciation:
Allopatric speciation – gene flow is
interrupted or reduced when a population is
divided into geographically isolated
subpopulations
Separate populations evolve
independently through mutation, natural
selection, and genetic drift.
Regions with many geographic barriers
Biological Species
Concept
Biological Species – a population or group of
populations whose members have the
potential to interbreed and produce viable,
fertile offspring but cannot do so with
members of other species
*Species = largest unit of population for gene flow*
Limitations:
- Cannot be applied to fossils or
asexual organisms (prokaryotes)
- Gene flow can occur between
distinct species

Hybrids – offspring of crosses between different species

(often times not fertile)
Types of Reproductive Isolation:
Prezygotic (Block fertilization) – habitat, temporal,
behavioral, mechanical, and gametic isolation
Poszygotic (Prevents zygote development) – reduced
hybrid viability and fertibility, hybrid breakdown
typically have more species than regions
with fewer barriers.
This genetic divergence can lead to
reproductive isolation (increases as distance
between populations increases).
Sympatric speciation – speciation occurs in
geographically overlapping populations
Alternative Definitions to Species
Morphological species concept – species by
structural features
Recognition species concept – characteristics
for successful mating
Cohesion species concept – mechanisms for
discrete phenotypic entities
Ecological species concept – where species
live and what they do
Phylogenetic species concept – species =
smallest group on phylogenetic tree

Polyploidy – multiple sets of chromosomes Miscellaneous Terms

(plants)
Punctuated Equilibria – periods of apparent
Autopolyploid – individual with more than statis punctuated by sudden change, contrasts
two chromosome sets, from one species
with model of gradualism/gradual change
Allopolyploid – species with multiple sets of
chromosomes derived from different species

Ex: Oats, Cotton, Potatoes, Tobacco, Wheat

Result of Isolation:
If contact is restored between two populations that have
been isolated for too long, interbreeding is prevented as
they are two separate species.
*Sympatric speciation can be driven by sexual
selection and result from the appearance of new
ecological niches.*
Speciation rate – can be slow or rapid, range

Hybrid Zones from 4,000 years to 40 million years with an

average of 6.5 million years
Hybrid Zone – a region in which members of different
species mate and produce hybrids Point of speciation – it is usually determined
Hybrids are the result of mating between species with Reinforcement – hybrids are less fit than parent by a general consensus of scientists, but
species & rate of hybridization decreases
incomplete reproductive barriers factors like not being able to produce viable
Fusion – hybrids are as fit as parents, which
Hybrids often have reduced fitness compared with creates substantial gene flow that can lead to a offspring, living in completely different
parent species. fusion into a single species environments with no gene flow, a math
Stability – extensive gene flow from outside
3 possible outcomes: To the right  hybrid zone can overwhelm the selection for equation, and certain allele changes help
increased reproduction isolation convince scientists.