Giraffes And Frogs Provide More Evidence Of New Species Hidden In Plain Sight

Science Daily ^ | 1-2-2008 | BioMed Central.

[RightWhale]

Bird Flu is an example of a new species forming right in front of our microscopes. When the species appears that is transmitted from human to human and kills everybody, that is an evolved species. Those who do not believe in evolution will not be affected of course.

[RightWhale]

All you need for a species is to look different somehow and breed true.

[Hardastarboard]

The struggle between species “lumpers” and “splitters” goes on (and on, and on. . .).

[brytlea]

LOL
susie

[brytlea]

So then, each breed of dog is a separate species?
susie

[RightWhale]

Each dog is a different species of the one dog.

[brytlea]

Each dog is a different species of the one dog.

I suppose you really believe that? Or, are you joking?

susie

[RightWhale]

It’s not a matter of belief but of balancing on the fine line between skepticism and enthusiasm.

[brytlea]

Hmmmm.... did you think that up yourself?
susie

[RightWhale]

No, actually I found it in an old, dusty and forgotten book.

[brytlea]

Well, there’s not much sense in me going to look in any old dusty books for more scintillating banter—I think we’re the last two left here—will you turn out the lights as you leave? ;)
susie

[RightWhale]

Sure thing. Bird Flu got ‘em all.

[InterceptPoint]

I wonder if Noah understood all of this.

[Old Professer]

These researchers will now embark on a save the froggy giraffe crusade and go after grant money whereas a farmer would crossbreed them and sell the frog legs as delicacies.

I have one black and white dog, one yellow dog and a chocolate colored one; they have to share a single habitat, I’m worried they will have all died off within a decade if I don’t do something soon.

[Old Professer]

Which brings you back to competition, right?

[mamelukesabre]

Each dog is a different species of the one dog.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Allow me to correct this statement.

Each dogBREED is a different RACE of the one SPECIES.

[RightWhale]

You have genus and species. The rest are more or less nonfunctional classifications that keep biologists and Richard Dawkins employed and FR amused.

[mamelukesabre]

Since you “teach this stuff” I would hope that you are aware that that definition is full of holes and grey areas. Some species can produce fertile female offspring but sterile male offspring.

[From many - one.]

Are you saying there is a situation where a species has no fertile males?

There are many (esp. insects) with infrequent fertile males. I would not be surprised if there were instances where the fertile males had not yet been observed, but I can’t think offhand of a diploid species definitively shown to have none, ever.

[From many - one.]

From where?