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Abstract Detail



Systematics Section/ASPT

Freudenstein, John [1], Broe, Michael [2], Sinn, Brandon T. [3], Folk, Ryan [1].

A critique of the lineage concept of species and argument for a phenotypic alternative.

A conceptualization of species as lineages that are equivalent to single metapopulations has become common and has formed the basis for some analytical approaches to using molecular data for species delimitation.  This approach is equivalent to delimiting species under a particular version of Mayr’s “Biological” Species Concept.  We argue that such a concept is suboptimal for a number of reasons.  First, it only conceptualizes species in “width” (the size of a present group of organisms) and not in “length” (the extent through time of the species).  Second, it equates species with another existing unit, the metapopulation, which is redundant.  Third, it gives primacy to history with no regard to longstanding ideas about the meaning and relevance of species.  We present an alternative to the strict lineage concept that focuses on the notion of biodiversity and its meaning.  Species are commonly viewed as the key units of biodiversity; their importance in biodiversity is due to the unique role that each plays.  Our species concept, which combines elements from previous species definitions, views species as the smallest assemblages of related populations that have a distinct role.  Distinct role is equivalent to having a distinct phenotype, since it is primarily phenotypic variability that specifies role.  Lineages play a part in this concept, but are not the sole aspect of diversity that is viewed as important.


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1 - Ohio State University, MUSEUM OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, 1315 KINNEAR RD, COLUMBUS, OH, 43212-1157, USA
2 - The Ohio State University, Museum Of Biological Diversity, 1315 Kinnear Rd, Columbus, OH, 43212, USA
3 - Ohio State University, Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, 1315 Kinnear Rd, Columbus, OH, 43212, USA

Keywords:
species-concept.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 34
Location: Evergreen/Grove
Date: Wednesday, July 30th, 2014
Time: 9:15 AM
Number: 34006
Abstract ID:813
Candidate for Awards:None


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