[redmenace]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060511/D8HHIDO80.html

lol, technically a new species.

[Janos]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060511/D8HHIDO80.html

lol, technically a new species.

No, it's not a new species. It's a hybrid. Two different things.

[Mars]

But it is a new species, they're capable of reproduction. They're not evolved for anything however.

[Wild Fragaria]

No indication of its fertility?  I wonder what the F2 will be like, if the F1 is backcrossed with either origin.  I think it's also quite interesting to see which origin the F1 prefer to mate.

But it is a new species, they're capable of reproduction. They're not evolved for anything however.

Nope, it's not a new species.  It's almost like a hybrid of greyhound and german shepherd.

[Janos]

But it is a new species, they're capable of reproduction. They're not evolved for anything however.

So, what is the fitness of this new "species" and will it hybridize only rarely with relatives, if at all? How is the fitness of offspring of this species and close relatives? Does this species have it's own unique genome? Is it a result of sex between two similar individuals of same taxon, making this a direct continuation of that lineage? What is the phylogeny of this species? How is it related to Polar and Grizzly? What are the differences and reproductive barriers between this new species and closely related taxons? How does this exactly qualify as a new species and not a hybrid between two more or less closely related species?

If a hybrid is a new species, it certainly puts the entire evolutionary theory in interesting light. I mean, then we have a new species - mule. Only that it is infertile. Or several citrus fruit trees. Does a hybrid between Goldeneye and Smew count as new species?

[redmenace]

The fertility counts or determines whether it is a species.

[aldo_14]

The fertility counts or determines whether it is a species.

I believe it's the result of reproduction that is key, though.

[Ghostavo]

The fertility counts or determines whether it is a species.

I believe it's the result of reproduction that is key, though.

So the question is, is the Beefalo a species?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beefalo/cattalo

[FireCrack]

Hmm... this would actualy indicate polar and grizzly bears being one species. If this can mate with them they are all one...

[Mars]

But just bearly, the polar bear is bigger than a grizzley in general.

[Janos]

Hmm... this would actualy indicate polar and grizzly bears being one species. If this can mate with them they are all one...

No it wouldn't. Is the gene flow between said two taxons - Polar and Grizzly - common? Do the hybrids have just as good fertility as pure polars or grizzlies? Does it happen a lot?

[FireCrack]

They are not repoductively isolated, they may be in the process of speciation, but not yet different species by a strict definition.

[Windrunner]

sad thing is that they shot the animal..

[WeatherOp]

As far as I know, a hybrid is a new species, as are Striped and White bass are hybrids. But a more interesting question, would he get the world record for that type of bear?

[Janos]

They are not repoductively isolated, they may be in the process of speciation, but not yet different species by a strict definition.

Define species using cladistics.

The capability of two taxons to interbreed and produce hybrids does not mean that they are similar species. Period.

[Fragrag]

But just bearly, the polar bear is bigger than a grizzley in general.

Oh, that was punishingly bad.

[Wild Fragaria]

As far as I know, a hybrid is a new species, as are Striped and White bass are hybrids. But a more interesting question, would he get the world record for that type of bear?

You can call it a new 'species' if you like, but it's not.  It's a hybrid of two species and it's fertile.

[karajorma]

It's no more a species than Ligers or Tigons are just cause the females of both types can be fertile.