NCEA  

Level  3  Biology  (91605)  2016  —  page  1  of  6  

Assessment  Schedule  –  2016  

Biology:  Demonstrate  understanding  of  evolutionary  processes  leading  to  speciation  (91605)  
Assessment  Criteria    

Evidence Achievement Merit Excellence

ONE A well labelled diagram is acceptable evidence of •  Describes genetic diversity. •   Explains strong intraspecific •   Compares and contrasts disruptive
understanding. Genetic diversity is the variation of competition or strong competition and stabilising selection:
Disruptive selection occurs in a population when two or heritable traits in a population. for food resources is an important E.g.:
more phenotypes have higher fitness than intermediate driver of disruptive selection, e.g.
•   Describes disruptive selection. Disruptive selection increases
phenotypes. E.g. the omnivore form and carnivore form the omnivore and carnivore
. diversity by favouring extreme
morphs have access to alternative

Phenotype / allele frequency

populations in high density, low food abundance ponds. phenotypes, which may then be
food sources and escape
Stabilising selection occurs in a population when further selected for. In contrast,
competition with the intermediate
intermediate phenotypes have the highest fitness, rather stabilising selection reduces
phenotype, thereby promoting
than those at one or both extremes. E.g. the intermediate diversity by favouring intermediate
disruptive selection OR
phenotype population in low density, high food abundance phenotypes and selecting against
competition for food will
ponds. extreme phenotypes.
disproportionally impact the
Genetic diversity is the variation of heritable traits in a Omnivore Intermediate Carnivore intermediate phenotype, thereby •   Discusses a plausible speciation
population. morph phenotype morph promoting disruptive selection. mechanism incorporating
High population density will reduce survivorship and information from the resource (3
•   Explains weak intraspecific
reproductive success due to intraspecific competition for Selection of ominivore and steps linked).
competition OR weak
food resources reducing food availability. Extreme carnivore phnenotypes / alleles E.g.:
competition for food resources is
phenotypes may have exclusive access to novel food •  Describes example of disruptive an important driver for stabilising Selection acting differentially on
resources, and therefore may have increased survivorship selection from resource material, selection. carnivore morph population and
and reproductive success (as an adult), which is favoured AND / OR describes example of omnivore morph population / gene
•   Explains that disruptive selection
by selection. stabilising selection from resource flow disruption / reproductive
promotes diversity AND / OR
Disruptive selection increases diversity by favoring material. isolation / RIM’s develop.
stabilising selection reduces
extreme phenotypes, which may then be further selected •  Describes stabilising selection. diversity.
for, based on diet-related morphological advantage. This
Phenotype / allele frequency

may lead to niche expansion. In contrast, stabilising

selection reduces diversity by favouring intermediate
phenotypes and selecting against extreme phenotypes.
Disruptive selection promotes further divergence between
the carnivore morph and omnivore morph by favouring
characteristics / traits that enhance each morph’s ability to Omnivore Intermediate Carnivore
use its particular resource type. Selection improves their morph phenotype morph
ability to survive by favouring morph-specific traits that
render each morph more effective at occupying its •   Describes selection pressure that
particular niche. Selection should then favour those alleles promotes disruptive selection as
 NCEA  Level  3  Biology  (91605)  2016  —  page  2  of  6  

or gene combinations that best support the expression of strong (intraspecific) competition,
these alleles in the population. Such adaptations can OR strong competition for food
contribute to the accumulation of genetic differences resources.
between populations which, in turn, promotes further •   Describes selection pressure that
divergence. Matings between such populations should promotes stabilising selection as
produce offspring that are not as well adapted to the weak (intraspecific) competition
different niches, which means they are less fit. E.g. OR weak competition for food
matings between adults derived from the carnivore form resources.
and omnivore form are likely to produce offspring that are
intermediate in phenotype, and therefore are out-competed
by both parent populations, due to being poorly adapted to
either niche. Consequently, selection should favour
assortative mating, and thereby complete the speciation
process by promoting the evolution of reproductive
isolation.

Not Achieved Achievement Merit Excellence

NØ = no response or no N1 = 1 point, from N2 = 2 points from A3 = 3 points from A4 = 4 points from M5 = 1 point from Merit. M6 = 2 points E7 = 1 point from E8 = 2 points from
relevant evidence. Achievement. Achievement. achievement achievement. from Merit. Excellence. Excellence.
 NCEA  Level  3  Biology  (91605)  2016  —  page  3  of  6  

Evidence Achievement Merit Excellence

TWO A mutation is a permanent alteration in the nucleotide •  Describes mutation. •  Explains natural selection. •   Links roles of mutation AND natural
base sequence of DNA. A mutation is a (permanent) •  Explains a selective biotic factor on selection.
Variation of alleles / phenotypes exists in populations. alteration in the nucleotide base plate number, e.g. higher plate E.g.
Individuals with better adapted phenotypes will have sequence of DNA. numbers can obstruct swallowing A mutation causes a new allele to
increased fitness compared to less suited individuals, so •  Describes natural selection. by larger fish, which leads to form and increases the allelic
are more likely to reproduce and pass on their greater handling time and more diversity. Mutations provide the
•  Describes a selective biotic factor
favourable alleles. Favourable alleles will increase in escape opportunities. "raw material" upon which the
on plate number, e.g. higher plate
frequency within the population over time. •   Explains a selective biotic factor mechanisms of natural selection can
numbers can obstruct swallowing
Increased spine length increases the probability of by larger fish / lower plate on spine length, e.g. increased act. If the mutation increases fitness,
escape from puncturing / biting predators such as larger numbers increase acceleration, so spine length increases the the individuals with this adaptive
fish after capture (these failures are largely due to the that predator avoidance more probability of escape from biting phenotype are more likely to
erect dorsal and pelvic spines during predation. This likely. predators such as larger fish due to reproduce and pass on the favourable
triangle of erect spines pierces the mouthparts of increased diameter. allele. The favourable allele will
•  Describes a selective biotic factor
predators and increases its chances of escape) whereas •  Explains a selective abiotic factor, increase in frequency within the
on spine length, e.g. increased
grappling / grasping invertebrate predators may use the e.g. more shelter in freshwater population over time.
spine length increases the
spines to restrain captured juvenile stickleback as means weaker selection for post- •  Discusses how a biotic AND abiotic
probability of escape from biting
longer spines are easier / more accessible to grasp. capture adaptations. Low plate factor act as selective pressures in
predators such as larger fish /
Higher plate numbers can obstruct swallowing by number increases avoidance success marine AND freshwater habitats.
spines do not provide defence
larger fish which leads to greater manipulation time and due to increased acceleration.
against invertebrate predators. E.g.:
more escape opportunities.
•  Describes a selective abiotic •   Explains the concept of a mutation Mutation in the Eda gene caused
Low plate number is adaptive in freshwater habitats being adaptive in one habitat and
factor, e.g. more shelter in variation in plate number and a
where shelter is available because acceleration selected for yet a disadvantage in
freshwater means weaker mutation in the Pix1 gene caused
increases with low plate number due to lower mass and another habitat and selected
selection for post-capture variation in spine length. The
increased speed, meaning increased likelihood of the against.
adaptations / less shelter in selection pressures that the marine
stickleback reaching shelter during evasive responses
marine habitat means stronger population were subject to of low
during predator pursuit, which increases the probability
selection for post-capture amounts of shelter and predatory
of survival.
adaptation. fish, meant higher plate number and
A mutation causes a new allele to form, and increases long spine length were adaptive,
the allelic diversity. Mutations provide the totally new whereas the selection pressures the
alleles upon which the mechanisms of natural selection freshwater population were subject
can act. If the mutation increases fitness (survival / to of high amounts of shelter, and
reproduction), the individuals with this adaptive grasping insects meant low plate
phenotype are more likely to reproduce and pass on the number and short spine length were
favourable allele. The favourable allele will increase in adaptive.
frequency within the population over time.
 NCEA  Level  3  Biology  (91605)  2016  —  page  4  of  6  

Not Achieved Achievement Merit Excellence

NØ = no response or no N1 = 1 point, from N2 = 2 points from A3 = 3 points from A4 = 4 points from M5 = 1 point from Merit. M6 = 2 points E7 = 1 point from E8 = 2 points from
relevant evidence. Achievement. Achievement. achievement achievement. from Merit. Excellence. Excellence.
 NCEA  Level  3  Biology  (91605)  2016  —  page  5  of  6  

Evidence Achievement Merit Excellence

THREE Evolution pattern is adaptive radiation, which is the •  Describes adaptive radiation / •   Explains adaptive radiation or Discusses how biological AND / OR
diversification of related species from a single ancestor, divergent evolution. allopatric speciation with geographical events contributed to
to exploit unoccupied niches. When climate changes •  Punctuated equilibrium. reference to glaciation. adaptive radiation / allopatric
occurred, the ancestral species radiated out to occupy the •   Explains Aotearoa mainland speciation by integrating evidence
•  Describes stimulus for adaptive
new niches formed. colonised first, offshore islands from the resource information.
radiation.
The ancestor of Cyanoramphus dispersed from New subsequently. E.g.
•  Describes allopatric speciation
Caledonia to Aotearoa (possibly via Norfolk Island) in •   Explains different selection •  Adaptive radiation was stimulated
using example from resource
the last ~550 000 years, and then colonised offshore and pressures in different areas. by glacial and interglacial periods,
material.
subantarctic islands. which may have isolated
•  Describes New Caledonia as origin. •   Explains Southern areas
Cyanoramphus colonised the Chatham Islands 440 000 resembles current habitat of populations into different areas
years b. p. giving rise to Forbes’ kakariki. A later •  Describes timing of initial subject to different selection
Antipodes Islands.
independent colonisation by the New Zealand red- colonisation. pressures. E.g. Northern areas
•   Explains timing of colonisation
crowned kakariki 60 000 b. p. gave rise to the Chatham •  Describes sympatric species using would have experienced less severe
events from phylogenetic tree.
Island red-crowned kakariki. Cyanoramphus colonised example from resource material. glacial episodes, while the south
the Antipodes Islands 280 000 years b. p. The sympatric •   Explains sympatric species using would be too cold for trees, and had
Reischek’s kakariki arose from a much later second example from resource material. tussock instead.
colonisation of the Antipodes Island about 30 000 years •   Explains punctuated equilibrium •   The periodic linking of the main
b. p. The Norfolk Island Cyanoramphus lineage, C. with evidence from phylogenetic islands of Aotearoa to each other
cooki, arose from established Cyanoramphus populations tree to glacial periods. and to near-shore islands, and the
on the Aotearoa mainland 195 000 years b. p. by ‘back persistent separation of offshore
colonisation’. islands further away from the
Adaptive radiation was stimulated by fluctuating glacial mainland led to allopatric
and interglacial episodes during the Pleistocene, which speciation due to different selection
may have isolated populations into multiple allopatric pressures in each location.
areas (refugia), subject to different selection pressures. •   The yellow, red and orange-fronted
E.g. Northern areas would have experienced less severe kakariki speciated allopatrically
glacial episodes, while the South would be too cold for due to glacial action causing
trees and had tussock instead, which reflects the current isolated pockets of suitable habitat
habitat type of [Link] on the subantarctic Antipodes with different selection pressures
Islands. Therefore, [Link] may have dispersed but now occur as sympatric
to the Antipodes Islands towards the end of a warmer species.
interglacial period. The yellow, red and orange-fronted
kakariki speciated allopatrically due to glacial action,
causing isolated pockets of suitable habitat on mainland
Aotearoa but now occur sympatrically which may be the
result of re-establishment of large tracts of forest during
the last 10 000 years.
 NCEA  Level  3  Biology  (91605)  2016  —  page  6  of  6  

Further evidence for radiation in allopatric refugia are

that all non-subantarctic Cyanoramphus species inhabit
forest. Glaciation in the South meant Nothofagus forest
was not established until about 10 000 b. p. meaning the
yellow-crowned, red-crowned and orange-fronted
kakariki are recent radiations.
The periodic linking of the main islands of Aotearoa to
each other and to near-shore islands, and the persistent
separation of offshore islands further away from the
mainland led to allopatric speciation due to different
selection pressures in each location.

Not Achieved Achievement Merit Excellence

NØ = no response or no N1 = 1 point, from N2 = 2 points from A3 = 3 points from A4 = 4 points from M5 = 1 point from Merit. M6 = 2 points E7 = 1 point from E8 = 2 points from
relevant evidence. Achievement. Achievement. achievement achievement. from Merit. Excellence. Excellence.

Cut  Scores  
Not  Achieved   Achievement   Achievement  with  Merit   Achievement  with  Excellence  

0  –  6   7  –  13   14  –  18   19  –  24