What should biologists do when two similar organisms that were originally thought to be separate species are found to interbreed freely and produce normal offspring whenever they live in the same habitat?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ability of two organisms to interbreed and produce fertile offspring is a common criterion for defining a species. If two organisms interbreed freely and produce normal offspring, it indicates that they are not reproductively isolated and therefore should be considered as a single species. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate choice. Option A is incorrect because the appearance of organisms is not the only criterion for defining species. Option C is also incorrect because the hybrids are not a distinct species but rather a product of the interbreeding between the two similar organisms. Option D is unnecessary because the lack of interbreeding indicates that the two populations have become sufficiently different to be classified as separate species.

What Should Biologists Do When Two Similar Organisms That Were