Teacher: Dr Gouri

th
Course: Life Science 4 sem
Paper: Genetics and
Evolutionary Biology

Unit 9 – Processes of
Evolutionary Change
Part -1
 Organic Variation

Definition - the differences among the members of a population occurring in the

same environment are called organic variation. Individuals of the population are
polymorphic having different expression of the same trait because the interaction
of the genes and the environment. Organic variation predicts that no two
organisms or parts of organisms can be same. Variations is a major source of
evolution.

Nature of Organic Variation-

1. Morphological Variation is observed in the shape, size, colour and pattern of
the organism.
2. Physiological Variation encompasses the variation in the functioning of the
organs
3. Psychological Variation include variation in the mental tarits
4. Ecological variation are produced by influence of the environment and are
usually non-heritable.

Types of Variation -
Variation can be categorized into 5 contrasting sets:
1. Set I – Heritable and Non-heritable variation
2. Set II – Meristic and Substantive variation
3. Set III – Continuous or fluctuating and Discontinuous variation.
4. Set IV – Determinate and Indeterminate variation
Set I – HERITABLE and NON-HERITABLE VARIATION
HERITABLE VARIATION are passed to the next generation. They arise due to
genetic changes in the gametes or germplasm and are thus also called Genetic
or Gametic or Germinal or Blastogenic or Constitutional or Congenital Variation.
Eg supernumerary digits in man, horse, cat etc. these variation have evolutionary
significance.
NONHERITABLE VARIATION are acquired by the organism during its life time due
to environmental influence. These variation are not passed on to the next
generation and are also called Somatic or Acquired variation. These variation
arise by influence of the environment on the somatic cells of the organism and
do not have evolutionary significance. Eg better developed muscles of athletes,
loss of some body part due to accident, development of cyclopean eye in
animals. Lamarck in his Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characters laid
emphasis on transmission of these acquired variation from one generation to
next generation, but Weismann proved that it wrong.

Set II – MERISTIC & SUBSTANTIVE VARIATION

MERISTIC VARIATION is the variation in the number of parts of the organism for
example, occurrence of six digit in hand or foot instead of normal five, 13 ribs in
man instead of 12 etc.
SUBSTANTIVE VARIATION are variation in form, shape , or colour of an organism
or itys parts for example, the variation in eye colour, hair colour, shape of the
nose, ear and eye etc.
Set III – CONTINUOUS & DISCONTINUOUS VARIATION
CONTINUOUS VARIATION are small variation occurring in a graded series. They
differ only slightly from each other. For example, changes in height, body colour
and odour. Darwin regarded continuous variation as Fluctuations and described
them as significant for the evolution and origin of species. The individuals who
exhibit the average condition of the variation are highest and lesser individuals
show a great deviation (fluctuation) from the average. According to Darwin, the
progressive accumulation of these fluctuation in one direction leads to formation
of new species.
DISCONTINUOUS VARIATION are sudden and large deviation (fluctuation) from the
normal which appear as new character. These are also called Saltations. These
variation are mostly stable , heritable, transmitted to next generation, are rare and
without any definite periodicity (repetitions). For example presence of 6 fingers or
toes in man, thornless rose and hornless calf. Hugo de-Vries described these
variation play important role in the origin and evolution of species.

Set IV – DETERMINATE AND INDETERMINATE VARIATION

DETERMINATE VARIATION are confined to some specific lines and occur in a
specific direction. These are also called Directional and are generally in direction of
Biston betularia , after industrial revolution the dark colour moths
adaptation. Eg, In
became more abundant.
Gradual reduction in the number of digits during Horse Evolution
INDETERMINATE VARIATION occur in any conceivable direction. These are also
called as Fluctuating variation and these do not confine to any law.
Other Types of Variation -
1 POLYMORPHIC VARIATION produce more than two distinct and stable
phenotypes with in the species. In some cases the polymorphism is so distinct that
the two forms are described as 2 distinct morphospecies. However the different
coloured forms interbreed freely.
2. CRYPTIC VARIATION appear suddenly and irregularly in population due to gene
expression of recessive mutant alleles in homozygous condition. Most of the
cryptic variation are recessive but a few may be dominant.

Colour polymorphism in nature.

(A,B) Both morphs of the spiny spiderGasteracantha fornicata,
whose conspicuous colour patterns
visually lure prey (Photos: Thomas White). (C,D) Colour and
pattern variation in the highly
polymorphic land snailCepaea nemoralis (photos: Ettore
Balocchi). (E,F) Two of approximately
20 morphs of the aposematic poison frog Dendrobates pumilio
(photos: Justin Lawrence).
Current Biology 26, R515–R522, July 11, 2016
3. GEOGRAPHIC VARAIATION – different populations of a species may migrate to
different geographic areas and become modified and distinct morphologically as
well as genotypically. Thus the individuals of the geographically isolated
populations form geographic races and differences that accumulate are called
geographic variations. These can be
a. Parapatric - meeting along a narrow border where they can interbreed or
b. Allopatric (seperated) which are completely isolated and do not interbreed.

Sources OF VARIATION –
1. Environment al conditions influence the organisms and bring many variations.
The heat or cold, presence or absence of vegetation, scarcity of food, presence
or absence of enemies, climatic conditions all effect individuals and bring
about variation. Tower and Agar conducted several experiments to show the
effect of lowering or raising of the temperatures on growth of rats and mice.
Mice reared in warm room 21*C were found to be considerably different from
those reared in cold room at 5*C.
2. Endocrine gland secrets hormone which influence the development and
differentiation of various physical and mental characters & cause
somatogenic and blastogenic variations.
3. Genetic or blastogenic variations are also caused by changes in genetic
material by
a. Gene Mutations –change in structure and composition of genes
b. Chromosomal Aberrations – Change in structure of chromosomes (Done In
Genetics Theory Class)
c. Heteroploidy – change in number of chromosome (Done in Practical Class)
d. Mendelian Recombination and Independent Assortment of Genes
e. Crossing Over- exchange of parts of nonsister chromatids between two
homologous chromosomes.
f. Interspecific, Intergeneric and Introgressive Hybridization