While curating insect specimens, you find a wing venation pattern intermediate between two established genera. According to the Biological Species Concept, what additional evidence is crucial before erecting a new genus?
- APreservation of a holotype in a recognised museum
- BThe ability (or inability) to interbreed and produce fertile offspring
- CGeographic range and habitat overlap
- DDistinct karyotype counts alone
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (b) The ability (or inability) to interbreed and produce fertile offspring
Explanation
By the biological species concept (Ernst Mayr), a species is a group of populations whose members can interbreed in nature and produce fertile offspring, and which are reproductively isolated from other such groups.
Body features such as wing venation can mislead, because unrelated groups may look alike and one species may vary. So before naming a new group, the key evidence under this concept is whether the insects can or cannot interbreed and produce fertile offspring. A holotype is needed for naming, but it does not show reproductive isolation.