Question

*** Please be concise and give full explanation ***

Define a species according to the biological species concept. What two problems often make this definition impractical?

Answer 1

Ernst Mayr who was responsible for the development of biological species concept defined species as groups of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups. When two organisms breed within a species, their genes pass onto their offspring. On repetition of this process, the genes of different organisms within a species are constantly shuffled within the species gene pool. The shared gene pool gives the species its identity.

Two of the problems that make biological species concept impractical are:

• Individuals of the same species are unable to reproduce due to the geographical location barriers
• Some organisms are asexual and cannot be defined as species when following the biological species concept.