Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 25 views

    ppt on species concept

    Uploaded by

    arsalangulzar209
    Species concept.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    ppt on species concept

    Uploaded by

    arsalangulzar209
    25 views3 pages
    Species concept.

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Species concept.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    25 views3 pages

    ppt on species concept

    Uploaded by

    arsalangulzar209
    Species concept.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    You are on page 1of 3

    Paper 502

    Principles of microbiology
    Dr zahoor ah baba sir

    A species concept refers to a way of defining and understanding what a


    species is. There are several species concepts, each providing a unique
    perspective on how species are identified and differentiated.
    The Phylogenetic Species Concept (PSC) defines species as the smallest
    monophyletic group on a phylogenetic tree, sharing a common ancestor and
    diagnosable traits. Within this concept, types of phylogenetic species can
    be differentiated based on specific criteria and methods of analysis.Here's an
    overview of the most widely used ones
    Table of Concepts
    Concept Focus Strengths Limitations
    Not for
    Reproductive fossils/asexual
    Biological isolation Interbreeding focus species
    Subjective, cryptic
    Morphological Physical traits Simple, observable species
    Evolutionary Precise with Requires extensive
    Phylogenetic history genetic data data
    Niche and Role of
    Ecological adaptations environment Niche overlap issues
    Genetic Requires advanced
    Genetic differences Quantifiable tools
    Lineage and Accounts for Hard to define
    Evolutionary evolution time/continuity boundaries

    1. Biological Species Concept (BSC)


    Definition: A species consists of groups of interbreeding natural populations
    that are reproductively isolated from other such groups.
    Proposed by: Ernst Mayr (1942).
    Key Idea: Species are defined based on their ability to interbreed and
    produce fertile offspring.
    Strengths:
    Focuses on reproductive isolation, which prevents gene flow between
    species.
    Limitations:Not applicable to asexual organisms, fossils, or populations with
    incomplete reproductive data.
    Hybridization challenges this concept.
    2. Morphological Species Concept
    Definition: Species are defined based on their physical characteristics
    (morphology) such as shape, size, and structure.
    Key Idea: If organisms look alike, they belong to the same species.
    Strengths:
    Useful for extinct species (fossils) and organisms where reproductive data is
    unavailable.
    Limitations:
    Subjective—reliant on human interpretation of traits.
    Cryptic species (morphologically similar but genetically distinct) may be
    overlooked.
    3. Phylogenetic Species Concept (PSC)
    Definition: A species is the smallest monophyletic group on a phylogenetic
    tree, sharing a common ancestor and diagnosable traits.
    Key Idea: Species are identified based on evolutionary history and genetic
    relationships.
    Strengths:
    Works well for all organisms, including asexual and extinct species.
    Uses molecular data for clarity.
    Limitations:
    Requires extensive genetic data.
    The definition of "smallest monophyletic group" can be arbitrary.
    4. Ecological Species Concept
    Definition: A species is a group of organisms occupying a specific ecological
    niche, with unique adaptations to its environment.
    Key Idea: Species are defined by their role and resource use within an
    ecosystem.
    Strengths:
    Highlights the role of natural selection and ecology in species formation.
    Limitations:
    Overlapping niches complicate distinctions.
    Difficult to apply in some cases without ecological data.
    5. Genetic Species Concept
    Definition: A species is defined based on genetic similarity and differences.
    Key Idea: Genetic divergence determines species boundaries.
    Strengths:
    Provides measurable, objective criteria for species identification.
    Limitations:
    Requires advanced molecular tools and genetic analysis.
    6. Evolutionary Species Concept
    Definition: A species is a single lineage of organisms with its own
    evolutionary trajectory and fate.
    Key Idea: Focuses on both genetics and evolutionary patterns over time.
    Strengths:
    Emphasizes evolution as a continuous process.
    Limitations:
    Difficult to define clear species boundaries in evolving lineages.

    You might also like