The Effects of Reproductive Isolation
Speciation
Tiffany Johnson
SCIE/211
Laura Stepp
Purpose
What would happen if a species within a population were to suddenly split in two groups by an earthquake that creates a physical barrier like a canyon?
Introduction
Reproduction is a natural and normal thing in our day to day lives. Animals and humans reproduce offspring, all year round. Separation is usually the furthest thing from our minds. But, mother natural can always turn anyone’s world upside down. For Example, What if a really bad earthquake hit, and caused the ground to split and drift far away from one another? Many species would be isolated from their families and environments.
Hypothesis/Predicted Outcome A species is defined as a group of organisms that are able to interbreed to produce fertile and viable offspring under natural conditions. (Audesirk, (2008), slide 1). If a species is separated from its own, reproduction would be very low. Not only would reproduction be low, the living conditions would be altered. Why would the conditions be altered? They would be altered due to the environment. For Example: If one side drifts up north where it is cold, that species would have to adjust to that environment. Their bodies and ways of living would naturally adjust to the climate. The impact over time would have allowed the species evolve and this would be considered speciation. The change of their fur, skin, or anything physical on their body would create a new species. Methods/Results/Outcome
Example of how animals evolve from being isolated. Discussion/Analysis The information that was gathered, gave a vivid understanding of how speciation is created. Over time life brings change, in that change it is about adjusting. Species have to adjust to their environments whether they want to or not. Us as humans are adjusted to our environment without even knowing it. People up north are use to cold weather, opposed to people in the south
Tiffany Johnson
SCIE/211
Laura Stepp
Purpose
What would happen if a species within a population were to suddenly split in two groups by an earthquake that creates a physical barrier like a canyon?
Introduction
Reproduction is a natural and normal thing in our day to day lives. Animals and humans reproduce offspring, all year round. Separation is usually the furthest thing from our minds. But, mother natural can always turn anyone’s world upside down. For Example, What if a really bad earthquake hit, and caused the ground to split and drift far away from one another? Many species would be isolated from their families and environments.
Hypothesis/Predicted Outcome A species is defined as a group of organisms that are able to interbreed to produce fertile and viable offspring under natural conditions. (Audesirk, (2008), slide 1). If a species is separated from its own, reproduction would be very low. Not only would reproduction be low, the living conditions would be altered. Why would the conditions be altered? They would be altered due to the environment. For Example: If one side drifts up north where it is cold, that species would have to adjust to that environment. Their bodies and ways of living would naturally adjust to the climate. The impact over time would have allowed the species evolve and this would be considered speciation. The change of their fur, skin, or anything physical on their body would create a new species. Methods/Results/Outcome
Example of how animals evolve from being isolated. Discussion/Analysis The information that was gathered, gave a vivid understanding of how speciation is created. Over time life brings change, in that change it is about adjusting. Species have to adjust to their environments whether they want to or not. Us as humans are adjusted to our environment without even knowing it. People up north are use to cold weather, opposed to people in the south
References: Audesirk, T., Audesirk, G., & Byers, B. E. (2008). Biology: Life on earth with physiology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.