Which situation would most likely pose a major difficulty for applying the biological species concept?
A) Two populations of sexually reproducing plants that can be bred easily in the same location under field conditions
B) Two populations of sexually reproducing insects that can be bred easily in the same location under field conditions
C) Five snail fossils taken from the same locality during a 400,000-year time span
D) Dimorphic mating pairs of birds
E) Monomorphic mating pairs of birds

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The biological species concept relies on the ability of individuals to interbreed and produce viable and fertile offspring. This is not possible with fossils, as they are not living organisms that can mate and reproduce. Therefore, applying the biological species concept to snail fossils taken from the same locality during a 400,000-year time span would pose a major difficulty.

Which Situation Would Most Likely Pose a Major Difficulty for Applying