How may evolution lead to the development of new species (speciation)?
What will be an ideal response?
As selective pressures select from new, randomly generated and existing mutations, new species are possible. It is also possible to obtain two or more species from one. Two prerequisites are necessary for this to occur. First, reproductive isolation is necessary. Reproductive isolation is a result of some physical factor resulting in two or more populations being isolated from each other such that they are unable to interbreed. The second necessary factor is that the different subpopulations must be exposed to different selective pressures. If the selective pressure results in sufficiently different characteristics, then the subpopulations will not be able to interbreed even if they are in contact later.
Speciation is the creation of new species in one of two ways: "the infusion of new variations from mutations and the pressures of natural selection serve to adapt a species to the biotic community and the environment in which it exists" or a species ". . . separates into smaller populations that do not interbreed with one another." Both of these processes increase biodiversity. "Although it can be difficult to imagine, overwhelming evidence from today and patterns from the past inform us that the present array of plants, animals, and microbes has developed through evolution over long periods of time and in every geographic area on Earth. This is the source of our current biodiversity."
You might also like to view...
There are two ways to measure the daily mean temperature, and they could give two different results
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Experimental studies have demonstrated that there are a high number of herbivores near the largest individual tree species on which that herbivore feeds
According to the data shown, the probability that seeds from that tree species will successfully germinate and grow is ________. A) dependent on how the local wind and weather affects seed dispersal B) highest near that tree species C) lowest near adult trees of that species D) highest near the herbivore's watering hole E) dependent on how far the herbivore migrates
Two-thirds of all mercury reaching the atmosphere every year comes from.
A. volcanoes B. rocks and soil. C. toxicology studies. D. industrial facilities. E. methyl mercury.
There is unanimous agreement among scientists about how far we should go in applying the precautionary principle.?
Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)