You are studying an isolated population of birds that are morphologically distin

Question

You are studying an isolated population of birds that are morphologically distinct from other populations of their species. Female birds of this population will not breed with males from other populations when they are artificially brought into contact. You do detailed DNA analyses and find no differences between your focal population and the rest of the species. Based on this information, which of the following concepts would identify your focal population as a unique species?

A. Biological species concept

B. Morphological species concept

C. Evolutionary species concept

D. Both A and B

E. A, B and C

Follow up Q: Do you think your focal population is a unique species? Why or why not?

Explanation / Answer

According to the biological species concept, organisms belong to the same species if they can interbreed to produce viable, fertile offspring. Thus this concept suggests that every member of a species is capable of interbreeding with the other members of the same species. Sometimes organisms of different species can mate and produce healthy offspring, but the offspring are infertile, can’t reproduce. Hence this concept works only when healthy and viable offsprings are produced which are capable of reproducing when they reach up to the reproductive age.

In the question since the isolated bird population does not breed with the males of other populations, the isolated bird population may belong to different species. But since their DNA are similar this can be ascertained that the species is not new. Sometimes due to some reproductive barriers members of the same species do not mate.

morphological species concept defines species based on appearance and physical features. This concept may be applicable for some asexual organisms.

ecological species concept defines species as members that share the same ecological niche and their interaction with biotic and abiotic factors in their environment. Both these concepts do not fit in the above scenario of birds.

Members of the same species share both external and internal characteristics which develop from their DNA. Hence it cannot be regarded as a new species.

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