A species is often defined as a group of organisms that can reproduce naturally with each other and produce fertile offspring. However, the classification of a species can be difficult or even controversial. With respect to the population size of a species and the factors it may influence, two factors have been identified. These are the density-dependent factors and the density-independent factors. Find out the differences between the two in this tutorial. Know how these factors affect the populations of an ecosystem. These violations of natural wild rules make it difficult for scientists to clearly define species. Genetics can provide the answer. Thanks to genetic analysis, scientists can now classify species based on DNA patterns. This technology has uncovered new relationships between species – and unexpected surprises. Recent genetic analysis revealed that giraffes – long considered a single species – are actually four different species.
Discoveries like these could raise conservation concerns if scientists discover a new endangered species that is “hiding” in a larger population of similar organisms. There is a long debate about the concept of “species demarcation” and is commonly referred to as “the species problem”. Reason: It is very difficult to define the term species for different biological organisms Problem detection by: Charles Darwin (1859) I consider the term species to be a species that is arbitrarily given for convenience to a group of individuals who are very similar to each other. It is not much different from the word variety, which is given to less pronounced and fluctuating forms. The term diversity, on the other hand, is used arbitrarily and for simplicity over simple individual differences. [150] The species designation comes from taxonomy, where the species is the basic unit of classification recognized by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. Each species is assigned a standard name in two parts of the genus and species. The genus is the name of the genus that includes closely related species; The gray wolf, for example, is classified as Canis lupus and is a close relative of the coyote found in North America and is called Canis latrans, whose systematic relationship is indicated by the same genus name Canis.
Similarly, genera that share common traits (or traits) are placed in the same taxonomic family; related families are placed in the same order; related orders are placed in the same class; and the associated classes are placed in the same root. This classification system is a hierarchy applied to all animals and plants, as originally established by the Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus in the 18th century. A species is a group of organisms that can share a genetic heritage, interbreed and produce equally fertile offspring. Different species are separated by breeding barriers. These barriers may be geographical, such as a mountain range separating two populations, or genetic barriers that do not allow reproduction between the two populations. Scientists have changed their definition of a species several times throughout history. Some organisms easily fit into this definition of a species, but many do not. Asexual organisms have only one parent, so they do not multiply with each other. Some organisms often breed with similar species in nature, forming genetic hybrids. In 2006, the first wild polar-grizzly bear hybrid was found in Canada. These hybrid bears, called “Pizzly” or “Grolar” bears, can produce fertile offspring.
However, polar bears and grizzly bears are still classified as different species due to their habitat needs. Regardless of the species, it is good to imitate as much as possible the natural conditions in the soil type. In the 18th century, Swedish scientist Carl von Linnaeus classified organisms based on common physical characteristics, not just differences. [143] He established the idea of a taxonomic hierarchy of classification based on observable traits and reflecting natural relationships. [144] [145] At that time, however, it was still widely believed that there was no organic link between species, no matter how similar they were. This view was influenced by European scientific and religious education, which found that the categories of life are dictated by God and form an Aristotelian hierarchy, the scala naturae or great chain of being. Whether repaired or not, the scala (a ladder) inherently implied the ability to climb. [146] The authors may also briefly use “spp.” to say that something applies to many, but not all, species within a genus. When scientists think something applies to all species in a genus, they use the genus name without the specific name or epithet.