Explain the ecological approach in taxonomy, Biology

Assignment Help:

Explain the Ecological Approach in Taxonomy

You already known that the use of ecological data in classification has been used since the time of Plato who considered aquatic, terrestrial and aerial habitats as characteristics in the identification of organisms. However, it was Aristotle who laid a great stress on such characteristics in animal identification and used them liberally in his classification system.

Today ecological data in systematic is used quite often, particularly in case of identification of closely related or sibling species. The ecological approach in taxonomy is based on the fact that every species occupies its own niche in nature which differs from its closest relative in terms of food preference, breeding tolerances to various physical factors etc. Thus, when two closely related species coexist in the same general habitat they avoid fatal inter specific competition by differing in their ecological. Species characteristics like food preference etc. i. e, their niche.

Ecological data in systematic has helped in the identification of several animal species. It has been used to identify, for example, two species of Drosophila, D. rnulleri and D. aldrichi both of which live in the same habitat, which is the decaying pulps of the fruits of the cactus Opuntia lindheimeri. They are separated on the basis of their specific preferences for certain yeasts and bacteria. Similarly, the Anophelese maculipennis complex has been broken into six independent species on the basis of ecological differences as you can see in Table.

Table: Shows the breaks up of six sibbling species of Anopheles maculipennis complex on basis of ecological data

2021_Ecological Approach in Taxonomy.png


Related Discussions:- Explain the ecological approach in taxonomy

Amnion adaptation to terrestrial life, Q. Why can the amnion also be consid...

Q. Why can the amnion also be considered an adaptation to terrestrial life? The amnion is as well an adaptation to dry land since one of its functions is to prevent desiccation

Animal population, what are the characteristics of animal population

what are the characteristics of animal population

Primary succession - community change, Primary Succession - Community Chang...

Primary Succession - Community Change In primary succession on a terrestrial site the new site is first colonised by a few hardy pioneer species that are often microbes, liche

Define quantitative procedures in carbohydrates, Define Quantitative Proced...

Define Quantitative Procedures in Carbohydrates? You have learnt how to identify some individual monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides. However, if we were asked t

Zoology, explain in detail various types of epithelial tissue

explain in detail various types of epithelial tissue

Phylum , General characteristics of phylum

General characteristics of phylum

Briefly explain endocrine system, Q What is the constitution of the endocri...

Q What is the constitution of the endocrine system? The endocrine system is constituted by the hormones and the endocrine glands they secrete. Q. What is the histological n

How do copper and hormone releasing iuds, a) How do copper and hormone rele...

a) How do copper and hormone releasing IUDs act as contraceptives? Describe. b) If you squeeze a seed of orange you may be observe many embryos of different sizes.  How is it

Embryonic stem cells (es), E mb ryonic stem cells (ES): These a...

E mb ryonic stem cells (ES): These are pleuripotent cells of early embryo (blastocyst) capable of giving rise to all differentiated cells, including germ line cells. Em

Define bioactive substances from protein foods, Define Bioactive Substances...

Define Bioactive Substances from Protein Foods? Bioactive substances are derived from living organisms that can be used by humans for a variety of applications. They are consti

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd