[Campbell Biology P.556] According to the biological species concept, what is the primary cr... | Practice Question

According to the biological species concept, what is the primary criterion for defining a species?

  • A: Physical resemblance among individuals.
  • B: Ability to interbreed in nature and produce viable, fertile offspring.
  • C: Shared ecological niche and habitat.
  • D: Identical DNA sequences among all members.

Explanation

The text explicitly states that "the biological species concept... is a group of populations whose members have the potential to interbreed in nature and produce viable, fertile offspring—but do not produce viable, fertile offspring with members of other such groups." This highlights reproductive isolation as the defining characteristic.