The biological species concept defines a species as a group of interbreeding natural populations reproductively isolated from others.
The biological species concept (Mayr) applies to sexual organisms; it fails for asexual organisms, fossils and hybridising species. Alternatives: morphological, phylogenetic and ecological concepts.
Species boundaries are often fuzzy, and the concept used affects counts of biodiversity.
The biological species concept defines a species as a group of interbreeding natural populations reproductively isolated from others.
Species Concept is one of the 53 topics in Evolution. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Speciation, Evolution of Sex, Allopatric Speciation.
Horses and donkeys breed but produce sterile mules, so they are separate species.
Work through the Beginner topics in Evolution first, such as Evolution, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, then return to Species Concept. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Species Concept are Speciation, Evolution of Sex, Allopatric Speciation, Artificial Selection. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Species Concept. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
Species Concept: The biological species concept defines a species as a group of interbreeding natural populations reproductively isolated from others. Speciation: The formation of new species when populations diverge enough to become reproductively isolated. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Speciation and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
The formation of new species when populations diverge enough to become reproductively isolated.
🦎 EvolutionHypotheses explain why sexual reproduction persists despite its costs, including the Red Queen and mutation clearance.
🦎 EvolutionSpeciation after a geographic barrier separates populations, as with Darwin's finches on separate islands.
🦎 EvolutionHumans breed organisms with desired traits, creating crops and dog breeds from wild ancestors.
🦎 Evolution