Lesson 6 - Speciation in California

Lesson Objectives

Content Objective: Explain how different types of isolation can result in the formation of a new species.  

Language Objective: Explain how the example using salamanders show allopatric and sympatric speciation and why these salamanders are an example of a ring species.


i. Populations of a species can gradually diverge into separate species by evolution

ii. Continuous variations across the geographical range of related populations matches the concept of gradual divergence

iii. Reproductive isolation of populations can be temporal, behavioural or geographic.

iv. Speciation due to divergence of isolated populations can be gradual (Punctuated equilibrium and gradualism) 

vi. Species are groups of organisms that can potentially interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

vii. Members of a species may be reproductively isolated in separate populations.


Activites

Activity 1  - Ensatina range mapping activity.

In Class Version
Directions and Questions
Map


(Online Version)
Please watch this video explaining what you will be doing.
Directions
Map)


Activity 2 

 Video on Ensatina.


Activity 3  

Differentiating between two species is hard to do.  Using the activity and video above, explain why recognizing a different species is hard. 


Activity 4

Data analysis Question