The biological species concept defines a species as a group of populations whose

Question

The biological species concept defines a species as a group of populations whose members have the potential to interbreed in nature and produce viable, fertile offspring. This means that all members of these populations can contribute to a common gene pool. These populations belong to the same species. Genes are transferred between these populations through both direct and indirect gene flow. Biologists studying disease susceptibility in mice used genetic techniques to look for gene flow in 12 wild populations of mice. The populations (designated A through L) were located along a 210-km transect line. 50 km Some hints if you need them (hints open in new frame): o Hint 1 how to approach the problem o Hint 2 how to read this data grid o Hint 3 how to find species The researchers found evidence of gene flow between some, but not all, pairs of populations. In the grid below, a indicates a pair of populations in which direct gene flow was detected, and a ndicates a pair that showed no evidence of direct gene flow. For help reading this grid, see Hint 2 B C D E F G H I J K L

Explanation / Answer

Gene flow is two types. One is direct gene flow. This occurs due to mating.

Another one is indirect gene flow. It occurs via a intermediate population. For example, x mates wit y and y mates with z and x cannot mate with z. There is gene flow between x and z through y. This is called indirect gene flow.

All populations having gene flow between them share a gene pool and are called a species.

There is gene flow between A and K.

There is gene flow between K and D & F.

There is gene flow between D and H & I.

So, populations A, K, D, F, H and I form a species. That is species 1.

There is gene flow between B and L.

There is gene flow between E and L.

So, populations B, L and E form a species. That is species 2.

There is gene flow between C and G & J.

So, populations C, G and J form a species. That is species 3.

Now we know what populations belong to what species, it will be easy to drag them to appropriate boxes.

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