Year 10 Science · Unit 1 · Lesson 15

Speciation and Reproductive Isolation

Challenge Worksheet

Name

Date

Class

Learning Goals

Design a multi-method test to determine whether two populations have speciated.
Evaluate the limitations of each test method.
Apply understanding of speciation criteria to a novel scenario involving Australian birds.

Go Deeper

Design a test

A researcher studying two populations of crimson rosella parrots, one on Lord Howe Island, one on mainland NSW, wants to determine whether they are still the same species or have speciated. Plan a three-part investigation below.

Morphological test: What physical measurements would you compare?
Behavioural test: What would you observe if you brought the two populations together?
Genetic test: What molecular data would confirm or rule out speciation?
What result would tell you they ARE still one species?
What result would tell you they have speciated?
One major limitation of the interbreeding test in the wild

Show What You Know

1. A mule is the offspring of a horse and a donkey. Mules are always sterile. Does this mean horses and donkeys are the same species? Explain your reasoning using the biological species concept.

Challenge 3 marks

2. Australia's dingo arrived approximately 3,500 years ago and regional dingo populations are already diverging. Why might this be considered a very early-stage speciation process? What conditions would need to continue for full speciation to occur?

Challenge 3 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?