Posted by jiggy on August 27, 1999 at 03:17:05:
In Reply to: Quick follow-up question. . . posted by blue on August 24, 1999 at 23:04:23:
actually, the definition of species is not if they can interbreed themselves, but
if it is possible for the offspring of the two species to breed.
an example:
a horse and a donkey. they can get together and have a mule,
but the mule can;t have any offspring. they are unable to.
the horse and donkey are closely related enough to create
offspring, but the offspring is unable to create anything.
: The 'parent' species is still alive on the north end of the mountain range, you can see the species split as you move down either side of the range and two different species which don't interbreed and look quite different co-exist on the south side of the mountain range.
: While the species do not interbreed, do you know if they are incapable of being interbred? I assume the answer is yes, since that seems to define "species," but I didn't see it said in so many words in your link.
: Thank-you for the civil discourse.
: blue