生物专业英语Lecture 10-Origin of Species.pdfVIP

Origin of Species How Biologists Define a Species Modern biology generally define a species as group of actually or potentially interbreeding 杂交populations that is reproductively isolated from the such groups. Members of a species can interbreed with each other, but they cannot breed with organisms belonging to another species. Organisms may appear to be alike and be different species. /evosite/evo101/VA1BioSpeciesConcept.shtml For example, Western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) and The Western meadowlark (left) and the Eastern meadowlark Eastern meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) look almost (right) appear to be identical, and their ranges overlap, but identical to one another, yet do not interbreed with each their distinct songs prevent interbreeding. other—thus, they are separate species according to this definition. Yu Zhang, Ph.D. One advantage of the standard of reproductive isolation is that it is very precise. Notice, however, that it can only be applied to organisms that reproduce sexually. Asexual reproducers, including most prokaryotes, many plants, and some animals, must be classified into species on the basis of physical (biochemical or morphological) traits. Yu Zhang, Ph.D. Preventing Gene Exchange Two general types of mechanisms operate to block the exchange of genes between individuals of related groups. （Ecological） The first general type is made up of prezygotic isolating交配隔 离 （合子前） mechanisms that prevent the formation of zygotes. Prezygotic isolation falls