Question

You are a prominent zoologist and have discovered a new population of animals that resembles a known species of Gorks. You measure 5 different traits from 20 individuals in this new population and compare these measurements to the known species of Gork. You find that this new population is similar to the known species, but is different enough to distinguish this new population as a new species. This is an example of which species concept in practice?

	A.	Biological species concept
	B.	Morphological species concept
	C.	Ecological species concept
	D.	Phylogenetic species concept

Answer 1

1. Answer: Option A is correct
Explanation:
It is given that a new group of individuals that exhibit similarities with a known species was identified.
After analysis of 5 traits from 20 individuals, it was observed that the new population is similar to the known species = Morphological species

The new group of organisms resemble the known species i.e. they have similar adaptations i.e. they inhabit the same area = Ecological species

The new group can be distinguished from the known species by sexual compatibility. i.e. if the new group is not sexually compatible and be able to produce viable progeny, then it is considered as a new species = Biological species

For phylogenetic species analysis, we have to cosnider multiple aspects and analyze its lineage for which the given information is not sufficient.