Practise IB Biology SL A3.1.4 by applying the biological species concept, interpreting interbreeding evidence and evaluating hybrids and other limitations.
Discuss the definition of the term species.
meaning of species has changed over time / no longer just based on morphological features/phenotype
species members also resemble each other in physiology/biochemistry/DNA sequences/use of habitat/behaviour
but species can evolve and features change/species gradually split up
definition now based on ability to interbreed/produce viable, fertile offspring
gene flow among populations of the species maintains the species' uniqueness
some interspecific hybrids are fertile making categorization difficult