Glossary

interbreed

To breed with another race or species; hybridise.

Used in 11 species profiles

biological species concept
Most popular concept of species in vertebrate zoology. Defines species as members of populations that do or potentially could interbreed and produce fertile offspring in nature, regardless of appearance, therefore somewhat more restrictive than the phylogenetic species concept. In theory species are thus separated from one another by some form of reproductive isolation, though in practice this does not always hold true. Often abbreviated to BSC.
race
Genealogical line or lineage. Sometimes used as an infrasubspecific category, i.e., below the subspecies level, to refer to populations or individuals which are not given taxonomic names.
reproductive isolation
The inability of two or more groups of organisms to interbreed due to the existence of geographical, behavioral, physiological, or genetic barriers. These can be further separated into those being active pre- or post-copulation.
sibling species
One of two or more very closely-related species that are reproductively isolated from one another but almost indistinguishable in morphologically and/or behaviourally. May occur sympatrically and even interbreed but are incapable of producing fertile hybrid offspring. Sometimes referred to as cryptic species.
sympatric
Occurring within the same, specified geographical area, but without interbreeding and not necessarily competing for the same resources or dwelling in the same habitat. Opposite of allopatric.