ANT100Y1 Lecture 5: Macroevolution and Evolutionary Anthropology

• School: UTSG
• Department: Anthropology
• Course: ANT100Y1
• Professor: Shawn Lehman

Document Summary

Main processes and patterns in modern evolutionary theory as they pertain to macroevoltution. Macroevolution refers to the large-scale changes at or above the species level, extending over a geologic era, and resulting in the formation of new taxonomic groups. A single distinct class of living creature with features that distinguish it from other species. According to taxonomists, each species can be defined by discrete properties, such as beak length and feather colours in birds. A typological definition of the term states that individuals are the same species if they ca successfully produce fertile offspring, but this is no longer favoured: i. ii. iii. Does not explain the geographic variation within species. Based on this definition, the males within the specie do not represent the same specie since they cannot mate with each other. Does not account for instances in which distinct species mate and produce a fertile hybrid.