Skip to main content

concept of species in zoology

 CONCEPT OF SPECIES It is already been stated that individual organisms which have many features in common and able to interbreed in natural conditions are encompassed by the term species. Species is the smallest basic unit of classification. Its proper characterization is, therefore, of vital importance for a 'Natural' scheme of classification. Identifying species on the basis of reproduction, John Ray (1693) considered all individuals produced by parents of the same types as members of the same species. Linnaeus and Some others distinguished species merely on the basis of structure. Morphological Concept of Species This is the most practical and widely used species concept to describe species since people began to classify organisms. Taxonomists use this concept mostly by default because they know most of the species on Earth only from their morphology. New species are usually named on the basis of morphological species concept; morphological descriptions are all that we need...
Post a Comment

concept of species in zoology

 CONCEPT OF SPECIES

It is already been stated that individual organisms which have many features in common and able to interbreed in natural conditions are encompassed by the term species. Species is the smallest basic unit of classification. Its proper characterization is, therefore, of vital importance for a 'Natural' scheme of classification. Identifying species on the basis of reproduction, John Ray (1693) considered all individuals produced by parents of the same types as members of the same species. Linnaeus and Some others distinguished species merely on the basis of structure.

Morphological Concept of Species

This is the most practical and widely used species concept to describe species since people began to classify organisms. Taxonomists use this concept mostly by default because they know most of the species on Earth only from their morphology. New species are usually named on the basis of morphological species concept; morphological descriptions are all that we need to distinguish a new species from previous known one.

Typological Concept of Species

This concept of species is simple and widely accepted. According to this concept "all individuals of a species match the type specimen very closely". The 'type specimen' used for the nomenclature in this concept is called Holotype. Isotype is the copy of Holotype.The Paratype is the one which is cited with the original description but is neither holotype nor Isotype. Lectotype is the specimen from original material, in the absence of Holotype. Neotype is the new nomenclatural type when the original type is missing.

Biological Concept of Species

The biological concept of species was first proposed by famous ornithologist Ernst Mayr (1942). This concept defines species as, "groups of actually or potentially inter-breeding populations which are reproductively isolated from other such groups." Most of the animal species fit to this concept. However, many plants do not fit in this biological concept of species. This concept is useless in defining certain plant species, such as commercial banana or the navel orange, because many of these species reproduce asexually exclusively. Also, this concept is not very useful with palaeo (fossil) species because lack of information about reproductive biology of extinct species.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Darwin's theory of evolution

  Charles Darwin gave the theory of Natural Selection that is applicable to both plants and animals.  Darwin's theory of evolution Charles Robert Darwin ( 1809-1882 ) was a British naturalist who made significant discoveries of biology. He became the unpaid naturalist in 1831 and set out on a voyage when he was 22 years old. He developed the idea of organic evolution by natural selection on his five-year expedition around the world. When he returned to England, he didn't leave again and stayed at home. He conducted various experiments and formulated the hypothesis stating that evolution occurred due to natural selection.  Darwin gave the theory of evolution called The Theory of Natural Selection in his book The Origin of Species. The Theory of Natural Selection in his book The Origin of Species. The Theory of Natural Selection suggests that the best adapted organisms are naturally selected to pass on their traits to the offsprings. Darwin's theory of evolution can be expl...
Post a Comment
Read more

Differences between Arteries and Veins

Arteries  1- Arteries carry blood away from the heart. 2- These carry oxygenated blood (except pulmonary artery). 3- Arteries walls are thick. 4- These are highly elastic in nature. 5- These do not collapse when empty. 6- These do not have any valves. Veins 1- Veins carry blood towards the heart. 2- These carry deoxygenated blood (except pulmonary vein). 3- Walls of veins are thin. 4- These are less elastic than arteries. 5- These collapse easily when empty.  6- These have a series of valves that prevent backflow of blood. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Differences between Fission and Budding

Fission: 1- Occurrence of fission is only in unicellular organisms.  2- New organisms are formed as a result of parent cell dividing into two daughter cells. Thus, identity of parent is lost in fission. 3- Nuclear division is followed by cytoplasmic division.  4- Examples: Amoeba, Paramecium.  Budding: 1- Occurrence of budding is in both unicellular and multicellular organisms.  2- Parent gives new outgrowth to form new individual. Parent does not divide so its identity is retained in budding. 3- Cellular outgrowth is followed by the division of nucleus. 4- Examples: Planaria, Hydra.
Post a Comment
Read more