While studying colorful spiders on the Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii, you discover that populations on these four islands have the same anatomical features but a variety of different patterns on their abdomens.You also discover that they share reproductive behaviors and can freely mate with one another, producing viable offspring.Given this information, which conclusion about these spiders has the best support?
A) They are cryptic species.
B) They are reproductively isolated.
C) They are different species, according to the lineage species concept.
D) They are the same species, according to the biological species concept.
E) They are the same species, based on the morphological species concept.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the spiders can freely mate and produce viable offspring indicates that they are not reproductively isolated, which rules out option B. The fact that they share anatomical features but have different patterns on their abdomens suggests that they are members of the same species, as defined by the biological species concept, which focuses on reproductive compatibility. This rules out options A and C. The morphological species concept, which focuses on shared physical characteristics, is not applicable in this case since the spiders have different patterns on their abdomens. Therefore, option D is the best conclusion with the best support.

While Studying Colorful Spiders on the Hawaiian Islands of Oahu