Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following populations is the best example of the phylogenetic species concept?
A
A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring in nature.
B
A group of organisms that are reproductively isolated due to geographic barriers.
C
A group of organisms that share a unique genetic lineage and can be distinguished from other groups by specific DNA sequences.
D
A group of organisms that occupy the same ecological niche in a particular environment.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the phylogenetic species concept. The phylogenetic species concept defines a species as the smallest group of organisms that share a unique genetic lineage and can be distinguished from other groups by specific DNA sequences. This concept emphasizes evolutionary relationships and genetic distinctiveness.
Step 2: Analyze the options provided in the problem. Each option represents a different species concept: biological species concept (interbreeding and fertile offspring), geographic isolation, phylogenetic species concept (unique genetic lineage), and ecological species concept (occupying the same niche).
Step 3: Compare the options to the definition of the phylogenetic species concept. The correct option should align with the idea of unique genetic lineage and distinguishable DNA sequences.
Step 4: Eliminate options that do not match the phylogenetic species concept. For example, interbreeding and fertile offspring align with the biological species concept, while geographic isolation is a factor in speciation but not specific to the phylogenetic species concept.
Step 5: Select the option that best fits the phylogenetic species concept. The correct answer is the one that emphasizes unique genetic lineage and distinguishable DNA sequences, as this is the defining characteristic of the phylogenetic species concept.