[connectthedots]

"Same species" is, essentially, a measure of the degree of genetic compatibility (i.e. "genetic distance"), and as such is a nontransitive property. A can be the same species as B, B can be the same species as C, C can be the same species as D, even though A is *NOT* the same species as D.

That sounds strange at first glance, but it's really not. "Same species as" can be thought of as "close enough, genetically, to interbreed". So while A can be "close enough" to B, and B can be "close enough" to C, etc., the *total* genetic distance between A and D can be far enough to preclude successful interbreeding.

Before I call this merely speculation, can you offer up a real life example of this phenomena? Certainly after all this time, there would still be some real examples of this.

This is no more strange than saying that city A is close enough to city B to make the trip between them on one tank of gas, and city B is close enough to city C to make the trip between them on one tank of gas, *but* A is not close enough to C to make the trip on one tank of gas.

You actually believe this is a realistic comparison?

[Thatcherite]

Before I call this merely speculation, can you offer up a real life example of this phenomena? Certainly after all this time, there would still be some real examples of this.

He already did, in the post that you replied to. Do try to pay attention.

[Ichneumon]

[That sounds strange at first glance, but it's really not. "Same species as" can be thought of as "close enough, genetically, to interbreed". So while A can be "close enough" to B, and B can be "close enough" to C, etc., the *total* genetic distance between A and D can be far enough to preclude successful interbreeding. ]

Before I call this merely speculation, can you offer up a real life example of this phenomena? Certainly after all this time, there would still be some real examples of this.

Is there any special reason you didn't bother to read enough of my post to find the real-life example I gave IN THAT SAME BLOODY POST?

Son, if you're not going to hold up your end of the conversation, go find some other thread to pester.

[This is no more strange than saying that city A is close enough to city B to make the trip between them on one tank of gas, and city B is close enough to city C to make the trip between them on one tank of gas, *but* A is not close enough to C to make the trip on one tank of gas.]

You actually believe this is a realistic comparison?

Yes, because it is. The ability to interbreed is based on genetic compatibility, which is a matter of whether the size and number of genetic differences can be "bridged" during the fertilization and development process.

[b_sharp]

The Ichmeister already mentioned asian Greenish Warblers.

There is also the herring gull, and the Ensatina salamander, both of which show speciation in action with all the intermediate steps still around.

[BMCDA]

Before I call this merely speculation, can you offer up a real life example of this phenomena? Certainly after all this time, there would still be some real examples of this.

Apparently you didn't pay attention but he did. Here is a website with additional information on ring species, especially on the already mentioned greenish warbler and the ensatina salamander.