Concept explainers
What distinguishes a morphospecies?
a. It has distinctive characteristics, such as size, shape, or coloration.
b. It represents a distinct twig 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 and forms of the organisms, that involves their functions, in order to classify the 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 morphological features of the organisms.
Explanation of Solution
Justification for the correct answer:
Option (a) is given as distinction in the size, shape, and coloration. The term “morphospecies” has 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 and independent gene flow results in the development of distinguished phenotypic features. Hence, option (a) is correct.
Justification for the incorrect answers:
Option (b) is given as the representation of a distinct twig in a 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 representation of 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 it is a 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. A morphospecies is not a fossil that belongs to a distinct period of earth. So, it is a wrong answer.
Hence, options (b), (c), and (d) are incorrect.
Thus, it can be concluded that the morphospecies can be distinguished on the basis of its size, shape, and color.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 27 Solutions
Biological Science
- Some species undergo polyploidy, which is a multiplication of their chromosomes. That is, they contain full chromosomes from each parent. How could speciation affect a polyploid organism? A. The polyploid organisms may experience gametic isolation. B. The polyploid organisms may experience behavioral isolation. C. The polyploid organisms may experience geographic isolation. D. The polyploid organisms would not be affected by speciation.arrow_forwardWhat is true about organisms that are a part of the same clade? a. They all share the same basic characteristics. b. They evolved from a shared ancestor. c. They usually fall into the same classification taxa. d. They have identical phylogenies.arrow_forwardA shared ancestral feature is a/an select one a. symplesiomorphy b.synapomorphy c.autapomorphyarrow_forward
- Ground beetles (Carabus solieri) have useless hind wings. In relatedspecies, the hind wings function in flight. What term describes groundbeetles’ hind wings?a. homeotic c. analogousb. vestigial d. convergentarrow_forwardWhere in a phylogenetic tree would you expect to find the organism that had evolved most recently? a. at the base b. within the branches c. at the nodes d. at the branch tipsarrow_forwardWhich statements are correct about the Domain System. Choose all that apply. A. It is more recent than the Kingdom System B. It takes into account phylogeny C. It was the first to introduce binomial nomenclature D. It is hierarchical in naturearrow_forward
- Why do scientists apply the concept of maximum parsimony? a. to decipher accurate phylogenies b. to eliminate analogous traits c. to identify mutations in DNA codes d. to locate homoplasiesarrow_forwardWhy is reproductive isolation insufficient to define a species? A. Reproductive isolation doesn't take outgroups into account. B. This definition overlooks artificial reproduction, such as in zoos. C. This definition excludes organisms that reproduce asexually. D. Reproductive isolation can be accomplished in a variety of ways.arrow_forwardBuild a phylogenetic tree consisting of the wasp, Pimpla rufipes and four other species. Ensure that the most basal species branches out first. Pimpla rufipesSpecies A: possess a calcium carbonate shell and is found in marine environmentsSpecies B: Segmented worm, marine and possess bristles known as ‘setae’Species C: Bioluminescent, possess special cells known as colloblasts which are attached to tentaclesSpecies D: Parasitic roundworm found in the intestines of mammals; lacks segments, molts a cuticle.arrow_forward
- These finches all evolved from a common ancestor. They adapted characteristics which made them each a different species. 1. What is the term for a new species evolving. 2. Analyze the different beak shapes and sizes in this image, then explain why you think the birds beaks are shaped the way that they are shaped. 1. Geospiza magnirostris. 3. Geuspiza parvula. 2. Geospiza fortis. 4. Certhiidea olivasea.arrow_forwardWhy are green algae placed in the Protista while plants are placed in a separate kingdom? a. Green algae have a cell wall of chitin, while plants have cell walls of cellulose. b. Plants enclose and protect the embryo within the seed, while green algae do not. c. The green algae use chlorophyll a, while plants use chlorophyll d. Algae reproduce only asexually, while plants reproduce sexually.arrow_forwardWhy are Tarsiers difficult to place on the phylogenetic tree? A. Because they are genetically closer to Strepsirrhines, but they have many physical traits similar to Haplorrhines B. Because they are not similar physically to either Strepsirrhines or Haplorrhines C. Because they are genetically closer to Haplorrhines, but they have many physical traits similar to Strepsirrhines D. Because they are not similar genetically to either Strepsirrhines or Haplorrhinesarrow_forward
- Concepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax College