Natural selection and artificial selection (selective breeding) both have important roles in evolutionary change. (a) Seahorses are fish with an unusual appearance and many specialised features. Fig. 8.1 shows a seahorse. [Figure 8.1] Two species of seahorse, Hippocampus erectus and H. zosterae, are found in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. • It is thought that these two species of seahorse have a common ancestor. • The ranges of the two species overlap in many areas. • Male and female seahorses stay together for the whole of the breeding season. • H. erectus is much larger than H. zosterae. • Few seahorses occur that are intermediate in size between the two species.
- (a)Use this information to name and explain the type of speciation that may have occurred in the evolution of these two species.[3]
- (b)For many years, farmers have used selective breeding to improve the milk yield of dairy cattle and to improve the yield of crops. Explain why improving milk yields in cattle by selective breeding can be more challenging than improving yields of crops by selective breeding.[3]
- (c)State two examples of crop features that may be improved by selective breeding to increase the yield of crops.[2]
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Mark scheme
Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.
- [3] 1 sympatric; any two from: 2 no geographical barrier / not geographically isolated ; 3 ref. to behavioural isolation / described ; 4 ref. to reproductive isolation / described ;
- [3] any three from: ora in terms of easier for crop yields 1 longer time to, grow / mature ; 2 fewer offspring (per cross / AW) ; 3 feature can only be measured in, about 50% of offspring / females ; 4 milk yield must be measured over period of time; 5 ref. to ethical issues; 6 ref. to difficulty in identifying suitable males for use in crosses ; 7 cattle require more, care / support or more expensive ; 8 AVP; e.g. more dangerous to carry out breeding of large cattle
- [2] any two from: 1 mass / quantity / size ; 2 disease resistance; 3 resistance to, insects / pests; 4 rate of growth ; 5 drought resistance ; 6 resistance to herbicides ; 7 AVP; e.g. resistance to, flooding / wind
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