Question

Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and gray wolves (Canis lupus) can interbreed to produce viable, fertile offspring. These species shared a common ancestor recently (in geologic time) and have a high degree of genetic similarity, although their anatomies vary widely. Judging from this evidence, which two species concepts are most likely to place dogs and wolves together into a single species?
A) ecological and morphological
B) ecological and phylogenetic
C) morphological and phylogenetic
D) biological and morphological
E) biological and phylogenetic

Answer 1

Answer:

The two species concepts that are most likely to place dogs and wolves together into a single species are biological and phylogenetic concepts.

Explanation:

• The biological species concept establishes that a species is a group in a population whose individuals can mate and have viable, fertile descendence. These groups are also reproductively isolated from other groups or species. This is, the members of a species can not reproduce with the members of other species, or they can their progeny is unviable.

• The phylogenetic species concept refers to a species as the monophyletic group that is less inclusive for organisms. It is a group of organisms that share an ancestor in common and can distinguish from other similar groups. In this concept, a unique species can include a wide phenotypic variability.