The following is a list of strengths and weaknesses of the different types of sp

Question

The following is a list of strengths and weaknesses of the different types of species concepts discussed in class. Some of these can apply to more than one concept. For each statement, list all possible species concepts that are applicable and discuss why you chose each concept to fit under the statement:

a. Emphasis on the evolution of species through reproductive isolation

b. Cannot be applied to fossils

c. Can be applied to fossils

d. Cannot be applied to asexual organisms

e. Can be applied to asexual organisms

f. Can be applied to organisms that look very similar but inhabit different niches

g. Cannot be applied to species that look identical

h. Can be applied to species that look identical

i. Can be difficult to determine the degree of difference required to separate species

j. Criteria used can be subjective concerning which features are important in distinguishing species.

Explanation / Answer

a. Emphasis on the evolution of species through reproductive isolation: Isolation species concept, Biological species concept

The biological species concept cannot be applied, if organisms reproduce only asexually, if sexual reproduction is not known or if mating experiments are not possible. In such cases an alternative species concept has to be chosen. Usually the morphospecies concept has been included

b. Cannot be applied to fossils: Biological species concept

c.Can be applied to fossils:Phylogenetic species concept

d. Cannot be applied to asexual organisms : Morphospecies, Biological species concept

The biological species concept cannot be applied, if organisms reproduce only asexually, if sexual reproduction is not known or if mating experiments are not possible. In such cases an alternative species concept has to be chosen. Usually the morphospecies concept has been the fallback option

e. Can be applied to asexual organisms: Agamospecies

f. Can be applied to organisms that look very similar but inhabit different niches:Phenetic species concept

Organisms that look similar to each other and distinct from other sets

g. Cannot be applied to species that look identical: Biological Species concept

h. Can be applied to species that look identical: Phenetic species concept

i. Can be difficult to determine the degree of difference required to separate species:Morphological species concept

j. Criteria used can be subjective concerning which features are important in distinguishing species:Cohesion species concept: A species is the most inclusive group of organisms having the potential for genetic and/or demographic exchangeability

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