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What distinguishes a morphospecies?
a. It has distinctive characteristics, such as size, shape, or coloration.
b. It represents a distinct branch in a phylogeny of populations.
c. It is reproductively isolated from other species.
d. It is a fossil from a distinct time in Earth history.
Introduction:
Morphology confers to the study of the structures of the organisms, involving its function, in order to classify organisms. Furthermore, morphology can be classified as functional morphology, molecular morphology, anatomy morphology, comparative morphology, and several other branches of morphology.
Answer to Problem 1TYK
Correct answer:
A morphospecies has distinct characteristics including color, shape, and size. The concept of the morphospecies is helpful in the identification of the morphologic features of the organisms.
Explanation of Solution
Explanation/justification for the correct answer:
Option (a) is given as distinction in the size, shape, and coloration. The term “morphospecies” have originated from morphology, which is used to indicate the difference in the body structure of the organisms; it could be color, size, or shape. It is based on the concept that isolated, independent gene flow results in the development of distinguished phenotypic features. Hence, Option (a) is correct.
Explanation for incorrect answer:
Option (b) is given as the representation of the population phylogeny. However, morphospecies is a term used to describe different species rather than a defining a branch in phylogenetic population (relation to the ancestors). So, it is a wrong answer.
Option (c) is given as reproductive isolation from another species. A morphospecies cannot be distinguished based on the reproductive isolation as none of the two different species can reproduce together. So, it is a wrong answer.
Option (d) is given as the presence of the fossil from some distinct time in the history of earth. A fossil is a preserved form of any individual, which is formed over a long period of time. So, it is a wrong answer.
Hence, options (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect.
Thus, the morphospecies can be distinguished based on its size, shape, and color.
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Chapter 24 Solutions
Biological Science (7th Edition)
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Concepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax College