The biological species concept defines a species as a group of populations whose members have the…
The following solution is suggested to handle the subject “The biological species concept defines a species as a group of populations whose members have the…“. Let’s keep an eye on the content below!
Question “The biological species concept defines a species as a group of populations whose members have the…”
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 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.
Some hints if you need them (hints open in new frame):
Hint 1: how to approach the problem
Hint 2: how to read this data grid
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
“–” indicates a pair that showed no evidence of direct gene flow.
For help reading this grid, see Hint 2.
The researchers discovered that the 12 populations could be
organized into 3 distinct species. Populations A, B, and C each
belong to a different species. Use the data in the grid to sort
each population to the species to which it belongs.
Species 1 includes species A
Species 2 includes species B
Species 3 includes species C
Population D is species
[ Choose ]
3 (which includes species C)
2 (which includes species
B) 1 (which
includes species A)
Population E is species
[ Choose ]
3 (which includes species C)
2 (which includes species
B) 1 (which
includes species A)
Population F is species
[ Choose ]
3 (which includes species C)
2 (which includes species
B) 1 (which
includes species A)
Population G is species
[ Choose ]
3 (which includes species C)
2 (which includes species
B) 1 (which
includes species A)
Population H is species
[ Choose ]
3 (which includes species C)
2 (which includes species
B) 1 (which
includes species A)
Population I is species
[ Choose ]
3 (which includes species C)
2 (which includes species
B) 1 (which
includes species A)
Population J is species
[ Choose ]
3 (which includes species C)
2 (which includes species
B) 1 (which
includes species A)
Population K is species
[ Choose ]
3 (which includes species C)
2 (which includes species
B) 1 (which
includes species A)
Population L is species
Answer
Based on gene flow, we will assume that the two populations are the same species. If gene flow is positive, then they belong to the exact same species. This is all according to the biological species concept.
Knowing that species A, B, and C are distinct species, we now need to group all the other populations with them.
– Population D. This species is species 2 (with the population B).
– Population E. It shows no gene flow between A, B, or C but shows gene flow when F is involved, which has gene flow alongside C.
– Population F. This species is 3 (with C).
Population G. This is species 1, with A.
– Population H. It shows no gene flow between A, B, or C but shows gene flow when J is present, which has gene flow alongside E.
– Population I. This one does not show gene flow with A, C or B, but it does show gene flow when L is present, which has gene flow alongside D.
Population J. This is species 3 (with the C).
– Population K. This species is 1 (with A).
– Population L. This species is 2 (with B).
Species 1 includes A, G and K
Species 2 has the following: B, D I, L
Species 3 contains C, E and F, F, H, and J
Conclusion
Above is the solution for “The biological species concept defines a species as a group of populations whose members have the…“. We hope that you find a good answer and gain the knowledge about this topic of science.