Posted on 08/24/2006 6:54:24 AM PDT by PatrickHenry
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As I read the the original definition stands and the hew material makes it easier to identify reproductive isolates.
It's still a matter of them as can't interbreed are different species, just a better way to determine "can't interbreed"
In zoolological classification, there are "lumpers" and "Splitters". Lumpers tend to disregard minor differences between animals and lump them into the same classification. Splitters try to classify every minor variation as a new species. These guys are the ultimate splitters, potentially claiming any genetic variation as a different organism.
I prefer the functional approach to speciation. It they can mate and produce fertile offspring, they are the same species.
Let's see. Twenty pages of fairly dense science writing. I expect the first troll to denounce it within three minutes.
Now back to reading...
In re; "Everything is blasphemy to somebody."
Offense, like beauty, lies in the eye of the beholder.
For instance, I am offended by the association of conservatism with religion and with fundamentalism and with anti-evolution.
Personally, I am offended by folks who add fruity concoctions to gin and call it a Martini.
We define a genetic species as a group of genetically compatible interbreeding natural populations that is genetically isolated from other such groups. This focus on genetic isolation rather than reproductive isolation distinguishes the Genetic Species Concept from the Biological Species Concept. Recognition of species that are genetically isolated (but not reproductively isolated) results in an enhanced understanding of biodiversity and the nature of speciation as well as speciation-based issues and evolution of mammals.I haven't digested the article yet, but this seems to be a whole new concept.
Greater resolution equals reductio ad absurdium.
Nice idea, but not useful for day-to-day biological research.
I haven't digested it either, not that fast!
Still, all I'm seeing that's new-ish is an elaboration of crypto-species and I'm not sure they've actually defined a genetic boundary there. I expect we'll get there eventually though.
According to this proposed definition, my distant cousins in Australia may now be a different species from me. Well, it's true that we're so isolated we may never interbreed, but what's the point of defining us as different species?
Either that or they could scrap the whole mess, which would be fine by me!
They are defining transitionals as new species.
Evil, evil, bad, bad... Everyone knows there are no transitionals, therefore according to the authors there are no species.
Yes, we are one with the microbe. We are one with the monkey.
We are all Brothers in Darwin.
(Gimme a banana).
Ah, the light dawns. I certainly hope that these transitionals will be exterminated as quickly as they can be identified. We must maintain the purity of creation, and not allow it to be polluted by anything that might otherwise evolve.
You are part of the continuum. You are a transitional. You will be assimilated into the Great Breast of Darwin.
Beware the knock on your door at 2 AM.
Beware the CreoPolizei.
I weep for you, my Brother in Darwin - Huggy, huggy (ptui!).
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.
We are dead.
Prepare for your demise.......
The only escape from being a transitional is to be a dead end. Extinction is our only hope. Preserve the essence of your genetic purity. Cease breeding!
this is my kinda Species:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000449/
I prefer the "if it looks different enough, it is a species" method. That's what they (have to) use on fossils.
No, that's OK! If each one is a new species, where are the transitionals?
"I see a group of nice still pictures there. Tell me, however, which one shows the alleged transition?"
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