Speciation Practice

One of the patterns of macroevolution is convergent evolution.  In convergent evolution __________. 

• two or more unrelated species become similar

• members of the same species evolve into several forms

• two species evolve together in response to one another

• two birds come together to search for worms.

The process by which two species, for example, a flower and a pollinating insect, evolve in response to one another is

• convergent evolution

• adaptive radiation

• coevolution

• punctuated equilibrium

A new species often develops if

• the population gets too large

• predators move into an area

• two populations become separated by some geographical boundary

• food supplies increase and the area can support more individuals

When most groups of dinosaurs to become extinct.  This allowed for a variety of niches to open providing current organisms new opportunities.  Mammals took advantage of this environmental change, filling niches that were unoccupied developing new species specifically adapted to their particular environment.  Which of the following is a term that most correctly describes this process?

• Adaptive radiation

• Gradualism

• Convergent

• Genetic drift

The Galapagos Islands are a chain of volcanic islands that are off the coast of Ecuador in South America.  There are at least 13 different species of ground finches found throughout the Galapagos, most likely all coming from a common ancestor. Which of the following explanations accurately explains the variation of finches on the Galapagos islands?

• Convergent evolution because the finches all share characteristics similar to the common ancestor but differ because each species occupies a different niche requiring different characteristics to survive.

• Convergent evolution because the finches do not share characteristics similar to the common ancestor and differ because each occupies a different niche that requiring different characteristics to survive.

• Divergent evolution because the finches share characteristics similar to the common ancestor but differ because each occupies a different niche requiring different characteristics to survive.

• Divergent evolution because the finches do not share characteristics similar to the common ancestor and differ because each species occupies a different niche requiring different characteristics to survive.

What information does the phylogenetic tree show?

• How closely related a group of organisms are

• How many genes each group of organisms share

• Specific characteristics of each group of organisms

• How many physical characteristics each group of organisms share

Behavioral isolation mechanisms may occur when two species have different ___________________. 

• physical reproductive structures

• courtship displays

• times of the year when they are sexually active

• habitat in which they live

There are thirteen species of finch found on the Galapagos Islands.  These finches are commonly referred to as “Darwin’s Finches” and are  a common example of natural selection and adaptive radiation. Which  question would MOST help a scientist determine the level of  biodiversity that exists among the thirteen species of finch on the  Galapagos Islands?

•  How many finches are more than five years old?

• Which species of finch has the greatest average mass?

• What is the most common beak color among the finches?

• What variation exists between the species for traits like beak size and  shape?

Two species of Porkfish are found, Anisotremus taeniatus on the east side of the Isthmus of Panama and Anisotremus virginicus on the west side of the Isthmus of Panama. Which of the following types of isolation most likely led to the rise of these two different species from a common ancestor?

• Behavioral Isolation

• Geographic Isolation

• Reproductive Isolation

• Stabilizing selection

The oldest bird fossils date back to around 150 million years ago. The number  of different bird species in the fossil record remained small for the next 90  million years. Around 65 million years ago, the dinosaurs went extinct. Around  60 million years ago there were thousands of bird species that occupied a  variety of habitats.

Which of the following explanations BEST describes the increase in the  number of bird species between 65 and 60 million years ago?

• It took over 90 million years for enough random mutations to occur in early  birds to provide variation needed for speciation.

• It took over 90 million years for the early birds to disperse over geographic  areas to provide variation needed for speciation.

• After the extinction of the dinosaurs, many niches opened up, allowing for  widespread speciation of birds.

• After the extinction of the dinosaurs, bird population sizes increased,  allowing birds to be more easily found in the fossil record.