To my statement:
<< AT least with some animals and birds, different species can sometimes
interbreed and will in captivity but because of occupying differenct
ecological niches or having different courtship rituals in the wild normally
do not interbreed. >>
Neil wrote,
might this depend on one's definition of species? i.e. if species means
cannot produce viable self-reproducing offspring, then just demonstrating
successful mating does not entail new species emergence, or even that
different species can reproduce. E.g. horse plus donkey = mule = sterile.
Neil >>
The definition of species is a problem. Mayr once defined species as a group
of populations which interbreed and form viable, fertile offspring.
But, wolves can interbreed with coyotes and jackals, and form fertile
offspring, yet they are classified as separate species. So can most ducks.
And have you heard of the Beefalo? It is a fertile hybrid of the buffalo (Bos
bison) and cattle (Bos taurus). But, in general they stay separate in the
wild, so they are separate species.
There is an interesting discussion of the species definition problem with
regard to the Red Wolf at http://www.ualberta.ca/~jzgurski/mtdna.html
Paul
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