Terminology you should know
speciation . synthetic theory . allopatric and sympatric speciation . hybrid depression . allopolyploidy . U-triangle . coevolution .
Concepts you should know, be able to explain, and remember
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You can explain, what the term "allopatric" and "sympatric" speciation means
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You can explain, why Mayr's speciation theory does not work well in plants
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You can explain, how species barreers are maintained in Salvia
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You can explain, why Darwin had problems to explain Angiosperm radiation and what the answer to his "abominable mystery" is
To think about
- Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is a allopolyploid from Brassica rapa and Brassica oleraceae. Sketch down the chromosomes in meiosis I of a hybrid B. napus x B. rapa and a hybrid B. napus x B. oleraceae.
- What happens if a mutant in the pin6 transporter (needed for staminal elongation) becomes recessive in Salvia glutinosa growing sympatrically with Salvia pratensis?
- Many plants attract pollinators by mimicking their sexual signals - why confers this strategy a selective advantage?
- What would happen, if Howea balmoriana would be forced to grow on the coral reef?
To read and deepen
- Genetics of flower colour and pollinator attraction in orchids. Kellenberger et al. 2019 (open access)
- Polyploidie und Pflanzenevolution (via KIT-Lizenz)
- The case of the Howea speciation. Savolainen et al. 2006 (open access)