Outline for Mid-term Test II

• Synthetic Theory of Evolution
  • Introduction
    • Definitions
    • History
      • A small sample of Thomas Malthus' writings from his first essay on populations.
    • Concept of Fitness
    • Breeding Populations
    • Natural Selection
    • Phenotypes - Genotypes
    • Changes in gene frequency
  • Evolution at a population level - Forces of change;
    • Mutation + recombination
    • Natural selection -- types, effect in expanding + shrinking populations
    • Gene Flow
    • Genetic Drift
• Punctuated Equilibrium Theory of Evolution
• Patterns of Phenetic Variability
  • Characters vs. character states
  • Morphological variation
  • Physiological variation
  • Geographic variation -- hypothesis for causes
  • Ecological races (ecotypes)
    • Turesson, Clausen, Keck, and Heisey, Watson and Clausen, MacMillen - contrast findings
  • Hypotheses for origin of local races
  • Genotype-Environment interactions
  • Immediate vs. long-term fitness
• Breeding Systems
  • Definition + importance to taxonomy
  • Darwin's demonstration of inbreeding depression and heterosis self incompatibility vs. self compatibility
    • Multi-genic systems (multiple alleles)
    • Unisexuality and dioeciousness
    • Polygamous flowers
  • Hypotheses for hybrid vigor vs. inbreeding depression
  • Establishment of inbreeding
  • Advantages of self- compatibility