Evolution and Speciation
Classification System


    Kingdom: Animalia
     Phylum: Chordata
     Class: Mammalia
       Order: Primate
    Family: Hominidae
       Genus: Homo
      Species: sapiens
    Varieties and Breeds
Defining Species
   Evolution creates new species, but …
   What is a species?
   Its not as straightforward a question as most believe.




These are members of different species - eastern (left) and western (right) meadowlark.
What is a Species?




There is only one extant (existing) human species.
What is a Species?




And these are all members of a single species.
Determining What Is and What Isn’t a Distinct Species
                 Can Be Difficult




         Northern spotted owl (left) and barred owl (right).
What is a Species?

Lets start with the most widely accepted definition:
A species is a group of individuals capable of
interbreeding to produce fertile offspring.

This is the
biological
species concept.
Like all attempts
to define a
species, it has a
problem.
Hybrid Infertility

Horse X Donkey =

     Mule




Cannot Reproduce
and produce
Fertile offspring.
So a better definition of a species might be:

       A group of individuals capable of
  interbreeding to produce offspring that are
    fertile and these offspring, in turn, can
       produce offspring that are fertile.
Another problem with the Biological
                  Species Concept




For asexually-reproducing organisms, like these bacteria,
what constitutes a species?
How Many Species Are There?




  We don’t know.
About 2 million species have been described.
    Estimates of existing species number range
    from 4 million to 100 million (with 10-15
    million being a more commonly considered
    upper estimate).
Two Patterns of Speciation

                                          One
                                          species
                                          evolving
                                          from
One                                       another
species                                   with both
completely                                then
replacing                                 existing at
another                                   same time
How Do New Species Arise?

    The key to speciation is reproductive
    isolation of populations

    **It is reproduction that makes more
.   organisms…so mess with
    reproductive success and you mess
    with population!
What does it mean to have reproductive isolation?


It means that for whatever reason, one or more
organisms are prevented from being able to
reproduce with others in the population of that
species.

1. Organism itself changes because of random mutation(s)

2.Environment changes, causing separation of population into
two or more subgroups of the original population.
Intrinsic Reproductive Isolating Mechanisms



  Something changes about the organisms in the
population that interferes with reproductive success
    but is not caused by geographic isolation!

     Maybe something about mating ritual
     Maybe something about sperm or egg
  Maybe something about time of year they mate
                     Etc.
Extrinsic Reproductive Isolating Mechanisms

Something happens to the ENVIRONMENT of
the organism which interferes with reproductive
success.
Reproductive Isolation May Occur With or Without
                          Geographic Isolation
Allopatric speciation
occurs when geographic
isolation creates a situation
where reproduction can’t
occur (an extrinsic
mechanism).



Sympatric speciation
occurs when reproduction
is not inhibited by
geographic isolation but
something about the
individual organisms of the
population changes and
interferes with
reproductive capability. (an
intrinsic mechanism)
Allopatric Speciation: A change in the environment

      Harris’ antelope squirrel   White-tailed antelope squirrel




Two species of ground squirrel are believed to have
descended from a common ancestral population that was
separated by formation of the Grand Canyon.
Intrinsic Reproductive Isolating Mechanisms Are Always
    Required for Speciation…Even when allopatric speciation
                     has already occurred.

        Harris’ antelope squirrel        White-tailed antelope squirrel




Intrinsic mechanisms involve changes to the organisms that prevent interbreeding.


In allopatric speciation, intrinsic mechanisms come into play once
populations are physically separated.


In sympatric speciation, intrinsic mechanisms are the only ones involved.
Intrinsic Isolating Mechanisms




    (different habits within an overlapping range)
Intrinsic Isolating Mechanisms Continued:




Courtship rituals,
are critical for
mating within a
species, but
ineffective for
attracting members
of other species.
Mating Ritual     Blue-footed Booby




Mating Ritual Fiddler Crab Male Waving
Intrinsic Isolating Mechanisms Continued
Salamander Evolution




                       Subspecies evolving
                       At different
                       Locations
                       in California…
                       ALL ARE SAME
                       SPECIES
Speciation Occurs at Widely Differing Rates




A slow rate of speciation is seen with a living horseshoe
crab which has diversified into 13 species within the last
300 million years.
A rapid rate of speciation is seen in Galapagos finches
which have diversified into 13 species within the last
100,000 years.
What else, other than isolating
Mechanisms, can contribute to the
formation of new species?
Sometimes simply CHANCE EVENTS
         can contribute to speciation!

 Genetic Drift
   any change in the allelic frequency in a population that is due
     chance events (floods, insects getting sprayed with insecticides,
     earthquakes, fires, etc)

Allelic frequency: a measure of how common an allele is in a population


Especially true in small populations because the
chance of losing an allele completely becomes greater!
Type of Genetic Drift

Founder Effect: when a small population
colonizes a new habitat (separate from the rest
of that population) and interbreeds. Alleles that
were once fairly uncommon in a population now
may be more common because this subset of the
population is so small.
Amish population:
Dwarfism, Polydactyly
Migration may contribute to speciation
              as well!


Transports genes to different gene pools if
they mate while they are migrating.

     b/c their genes are isolated from their
           original population and the alleles
           enter a different gene pool.
Speciation Rates
                              Generalists (eat many
                              different foods, well-adapted
                              to many different habitats)
                              like the horseshoe crab, tend
                              to remain as stable species.
Specialists (eat more specific foods
and only adapted to live in certain
habitat), like the Galapagos finch, tend
to be unstable as a species and
More likely to change!
Speciation also becomes rapid when, new
niches become available to the organisms,
as seen with Galapagos islands.
Formation of New Species- Gradualism or Punctuated Equilibrium?




Gradualism




Punctuated
Equilibrium
Does Evolution Create the Perfect Organism?




No, only organisms which are
better suited to survive and
reproduce in that
environment at that time!
Scenario Groups:
Species Come and Go
Best estimates from the fossil record indicate
that greater than 99% of species that have
existed are now extinct.

  A typical “lifetime”
  for a species is
  about 1 million
  years.
Mass Extinctions Are a Fact of Life
The Cretaceous/Tertiary Mass Extinction

                              65.5 mya

                              Asteroid
                              Impact
                              Theory

                              85% of all
                              species died
               Gary Larson
Are We Now Causing a Mass Extinction?
Are humans causing the 6th mass extinction?


   Current Mass Extinction


   Mass Extinction




   Humans and Extinction

Speciation powerpoint

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Classification System Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primate Family: Hominidae Genus: Homo Species: sapiens Varieties and Breeds
  • 3.
    Defining Species Evolution creates new species, but … What is a species? Its not as straightforward a question as most believe. These are members of different species - eastern (left) and western (right) meadowlark.
  • 4.
    What is aSpecies? There is only one extant (existing) human species.
  • 5.
    What is aSpecies? And these are all members of a single species.
  • 6.
    Determining What Isand What Isn’t a Distinct Species Can Be Difficult Northern spotted owl (left) and barred owl (right).
  • 7.
    What is aSpecies? Lets start with the most widely accepted definition: A species is a group of individuals capable of interbreeding to produce fertile offspring. This is the biological species concept. Like all attempts to define a species, it has a problem.
  • 8.
    Hybrid Infertility Horse XDonkey = Mule Cannot Reproduce and produce Fertile offspring.
  • 9.
    So a betterdefinition of a species might be: A group of individuals capable of interbreeding to produce offspring that are fertile and these offspring, in turn, can produce offspring that are fertile.
  • 11.
    Another problem withthe Biological Species Concept For asexually-reproducing organisms, like these bacteria, what constitutes a species?
  • 12.
    How Many SpeciesAre There? We don’t know. About 2 million species have been described. Estimates of existing species number range from 4 million to 100 million (with 10-15 million being a more commonly considered upper estimate).
  • 13.
    Two Patterns ofSpeciation One species evolving from One another species with both completely then replacing existing at another same time
  • 14.
    How Do NewSpecies Arise? The key to speciation is reproductive isolation of populations **It is reproduction that makes more . organisms…so mess with reproductive success and you mess with population!
  • 15.
    What does itmean to have reproductive isolation? It means that for whatever reason, one or more organisms are prevented from being able to reproduce with others in the population of that species. 1. Organism itself changes because of random mutation(s) 2.Environment changes, causing separation of population into two or more subgroups of the original population.
  • 16.
    Intrinsic Reproductive IsolatingMechanisms Something changes about the organisms in the population that interferes with reproductive success but is not caused by geographic isolation! Maybe something about mating ritual Maybe something about sperm or egg Maybe something about time of year they mate Etc.
  • 17.
    Extrinsic Reproductive IsolatingMechanisms Something happens to the ENVIRONMENT of the organism which interferes with reproductive success.
  • 18.
    Reproductive Isolation MayOccur With or Without Geographic Isolation Allopatric speciation occurs when geographic isolation creates a situation where reproduction can’t occur (an extrinsic mechanism). Sympatric speciation occurs when reproduction is not inhibited by geographic isolation but something about the individual organisms of the population changes and interferes with reproductive capability. (an intrinsic mechanism)
  • 19.
    Allopatric Speciation: Achange in the environment Harris’ antelope squirrel White-tailed antelope squirrel Two species of ground squirrel are believed to have descended from a common ancestral population that was separated by formation of the Grand Canyon.
  • 20.
    Intrinsic Reproductive IsolatingMechanisms Are Always Required for Speciation…Even when allopatric speciation has already occurred. Harris’ antelope squirrel White-tailed antelope squirrel Intrinsic mechanisms involve changes to the organisms that prevent interbreeding. In allopatric speciation, intrinsic mechanisms come into play once populations are physically separated. In sympatric speciation, intrinsic mechanisms are the only ones involved.
  • 21.
    Intrinsic Isolating Mechanisms (different habits within an overlapping range)
  • 22.
    Intrinsic Isolating MechanismsContinued: Courtship rituals, are critical for mating within a species, but ineffective for attracting members of other species.
  • 23.
    Mating Ritual Blue-footed Booby Mating Ritual Fiddler Crab Male Waving
  • 24.
  • 25.
    Salamander Evolution Subspecies evolving At different Locations in California… ALL ARE SAME SPECIES
  • 26.
    Speciation Occurs atWidely Differing Rates A slow rate of speciation is seen with a living horseshoe crab which has diversified into 13 species within the last 300 million years. A rapid rate of speciation is seen in Galapagos finches which have diversified into 13 species within the last 100,000 years.
  • 28.
    What else, otherthan isolating Mechanisms, can contribute to the formation of new species?
  • 29.
    Sometimes simply CHANCEEVENTS can contribute to speciation! Genetic Drift any change in the allelic frequency in a population that is due chance events (floods, insects getting sprayed with insecticides, earthquakes, fires, etc) Allelic frequency: a measure of how common an allele is in a population Especially true in small populations because the chance of losing an allele completely becomes greater!
  • 30.
    Type of GeneticDrift Founder Effect: when a small population colonizes a new habitat (separate from the rest of that population) and interbreeds. Alleles that were once fairly uncommon in a population now may be more common because this subset of the population is so small. Amish population: Dwarfism, Polydactyly
  • 31.
    Migration may contributeto speciation as well! Transports genes to different gene pools if they mate while they are migrating. b/c their genes are isolated from their original population and the alleles enter a different gene pool.
  • 32.
    Speciation Rates Generalists (eat many different foods, well-adapted to many different habitats) like the horseshoe crab, tend to remain as stable species. Specialists (eat more specific foods and only adapted to live in certain habitat), like the Galapagos finch, tend to be unstable as a species and More likely to change! Speciation also becomes rapid when, new niches become available to the organisms, as seen with Galapagos islands.
  • 33.
    Formation of NewSpecies- Gradualism or Punctuated Equilibrium? Gradualism Punctuated Equilibrium
  • 34.
    Does Evolution Createthe Perfect Organism? No, only organisms which are better suited to survive and reproduce in that environment at that time!
  • 35.
  • 36.
    Species Come andGo Best estimates from the fossil record indicate that greater than 99% of species that have existed are now extinct. A typical “lifetime” for a species is about 1 million years.
  • 37.
    Mass Extinctions Area Fact of Life
  • 38.
    The Cretaceous/Tertiary MassExtinction 65.5 mya Asteroid Impact Theory 85% of all species died Gary Larson
  • 39.
    Are We NowCausing a Mass Extinction?
  • 40.
    Are humans causingthe 6th mass extinction? Current Mass Extinction Mass Extinction Humans and Extinction

Editor's Notes

  • #4 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #5 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #6 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #7 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #8 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #9 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #11 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #12 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #13 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #14 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #15 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #19 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #20 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #21 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #22 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #23 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #25 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #27 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #33 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #34 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #35 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #37 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #38 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #39 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010
  • #40 Macroevolution 10/22/12 G. Podgorski, Biol. 1010