Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · Evolution

Evolution — practice question

The collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis, and the pied flycatcher, F. hypoleuca, are two bird species that are very closely related. DNA analysis indicates that speciation from a shared ancestor took place about 1 million years ago. The investigation was done on Öland island in Sweden. On Öland, the breeding ranges of the two species overlap, and only a small number of hybrid flycatchers are formed.
(a(i))[4]

Discuss the pre-zygotic and post-zygotic isolating mechanisms that keep F. albicollis and F. hypoleuca as separate species.

(a(ii))[5]

Explain how the two species F. albicollis and F. hypoleuca could have evolved from a single ancestral population.

(i)[4]

Discuss the pre-zygotic and post-zygotic isolating mechanisms that keep *F. albicollis* and *F. hypoleuca* as separate species.

(ii)[5]

Explain how the two species *F. albicollis* and *F. hypoleuca* could have evolved from a single ancestral population.

(b(i))[3]

Explain why: - a specific primer is used - a restriction enzyme is added - gel electrophoresis is carried out.

(b(ii))[2]

The technique for finding out whether two individuals share the same SNP was used to compare species A and species B. Fig. 3.1 shows the banding patterns observed. Describe and suggest an explanation for the results obtained in Fig. 3.1.

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