Question

What is a species, according to the biological species concept?  Using at least three concrete examples (either from class or your own choosing), explain why this definition is not always practical for all species.

Answer 1

Biological Species concept defines species in terms of interbreeding .Biological species concept defined species as group of populations that can exchange genes within the group and are reproductively isolated from other such groups. This concept is used to distinguish morphologically similar but reproductively different species such as Rana pipiens and Rana utricularia.

This definition is not always practical for all species .

1.In plants hybrids often forms.For example oak trees from different species interbreed and their offspring are viable.

2.Biological species concept cannot be applied to asexually reproducing species such as bacteria and in some plants and fungi.

3.Biological species concept cannot be applied to extinct or fossil species.