(May 6, 2012 at 1:07 am)Godschild Wrote: Still salmon, but different species, the two can successfully mate with each other too, what am I missing here.
Is that a fact, or your opinion? If it's the former, a citation would be appreciated. (Here's a clue for you: there are many species of salmon, who despite sharing a common ancestor, cannot mate and produce offspring, fertile or not.)
Understand this: When biologists speak of one species being different from another species, they generally do not mean just that "this creature has different physical or behavioral characteristics from this other creature". While it is true that the meaning of "species" depends upon the context in which it is used, in evolutionary biology one meaning is quite clear: This creature cannot mate with that creature and produce fertile offspring.
So, I'm left to decide whether the OP was sloppy in his word selection, or whether you're talking out of your nether regions.
Quote:Still finches, but different species, the two can successfully mate with each other, again what am I missing here.
What are you missing here? See the bolded part. In a scientific context, words mean things. Specific things.
P.S. It is entirely possible that the OP chose his words carelessly, but in the absence of any real refutation, I tend to think it's the other thing.
