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1.2 define the term species and outline criteria used to identify a species
define the term species and outline criteria used to identify a species
- A species can be defined as a group of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations that is reproductively isolated from other groups.
- Because the system of classification is arbitrary and devised by humans there are exceptions. These exceptions are hybrids produced between species. Most hybrids are sterile and cannot reproduce, for example, a mule can only be produced by breeding a female horse with a male donkey. Others are produced by unnatural close associations between animals that would not normally occur, for example, zoo hybrids between lions and tigers. The third exception is the production of fertile hybrids that occurs between species, such as the crop, Triticale, which was formed by breeding wheat and rye.
- In general the criteria used to identify a species is if two organisms can breed together and form fertile offspring and they share a common gene pool, then they are considered to be the same species.