An evolutionary biologist makes decisions about whether to consider three different populations of copepods as separate species based on observations of the individuals with which these copepods will mate.All combinations of these populations are able to mate with one another, but none of the combinations produce viable offspring.This biologist is most likely employing the _______ species concept, and based on the application of this species concept to these results, there are most likely _______ species of copepods present.
A) morphological; two
B) biological; three
C) lineage; four
D) morphological; five
E) lineage; six

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The biologist is employing the biological species concept, which defines a species as a group of interbreeding populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups. The fact that none of the combinations produce viable offspring indicates reproductive isolation, supporting the idea that these are separate species. Therefore, there are likely three species of copepods present. The morphological and lineage species concepts do not take into account reproductive isolation and therefore would not be appropriate for this scenario.

An Evolutionary Biologist Makes Decisions About Whether to Consider Three