Biology 3601A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 19: Meiosis, Ploidy, Ecological Niche
1 Feb 2015
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Document Summary
Communication can affect both inter and intra specific behaviour. Humans use names (signals) to distinguish between different categories of objects. Biologists use scientific names, latinized descriptions of the organism for precise communication to identify species, subspecies, or varieties. Biologist almost use any available feature to identify species. Traditionally, morphological features were most important but not behavioural and genetic features are also used. Working definition of species will depend upon the organisms to which it is applied. A proper understanding of species is important for a number of reasons: Species are the fundamental taxonomic units of biological classification. Environmental laws are framed in terms of species. Our concept of human nature is affected by our understanding of species. Biological species concept: defines a species as a group of organisms that can successfully interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Phylogenetic species concept: defines a species as a group of organisms bound by a unique ancestry.
