Ecotypes and Species Matt, Kevin, Josh, Tinus

What is an Ecotype? An ECOTYPE is a population of species that differs genetically from other populations of the same species because local conditions have selected for certain unique physiological (functional) or morphological (anatomical) characteristics. (Source: everythingbio.com)

Ecotype vs. Species While species are a more broad category, ecotypes are narrowed down more specifically. SPECIES: Consists of individuals that are capable of interbreeding freely with one another but not with others. (“reproductively isolated”) (Source: Life: The Science of Biology)

Ecotype Vs. species (Cont’d) Ecotypes, while maintaining all the general characteristics of the species to which they belong, also uniquely adapt slowly to their local environment This adaptation allows them to thrive in their specific location

How do Ecotypes Appear? Ecotypes appear in response to a process of natural selection within species. NATURAL SELECTION is the “Survival of the Fittest” along with the “Reproduction of the Fittest.” (Source: Class Notes and Life: The Science of Biology)

How do Ecotypes Appear? (Cont’d) This process of Natural Selection facilitates evolution by allowing certain traits to be perpetuated. These traits are what separate specific ecotypes from the species as a whole.

From Ecotype to Species An ecotype may become a species through a process of isolation which keeps the ecotype from interbreeding with others within the species This can occur through two primary process:

From Ecotypes to Species (cont’d) ALLOTROPIC SPECIATION occurs when a population is divided by a physical barrier (such as mountains, water, etc.) This is thought to be the dominant mode of speciation among most groups of organisms (Source: Life: The Science of Biology)

From Ecotypes to Species (cont’d) The other form of speciation, SYMPATRIC SPECIATION, occurs without physical isolation. This occurs usually through some sort of disruption in the environment which causes variation in certain members of a species. (Source: Life: The Science of Biology)

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