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.Maybe I'm missing something, but how can population A be genetically isolated from population B, if A is interbreeding with B.
My guess is that this new definition would, for example, divide a
ring species into a few separate species, notwithstanding that at a newly-defined species' boundary, it is capable of cross-boundary interbreeding.