At 11:51 AM 4/13/02, rob wrote:
>OTOH classification at the species level is arbitrary at times, if lions and
>tigers can interbreed,
Same genus, different species, as are panthers. Hybrids exist, called
"ligers" or "tilons", depending on which one is sire and which is dam.
>are then boxers and dachshunds really the same
>species?
Yes. Frex, could you artificially inseminate a female St. Bernard with
Chihuahua sperm? (The other way around, there might not be enough room for
the fetuses to grow to full term.)
>Horses and donkeys.
Same genus, different species, as are zebras. Mules exist.
>Dogs and wolves.
Hybrids exist.
>Housecats and wildcats?
Classified as different species. Actually, the last I read on the topic,
the experts are still trying to decide which of two or three different
species of cats found in the wild are the closest relatives or possible
ancestors of the domestic cat. About all that is agreed on is that cats
were first domesticated in Egypt. (Assuming that they are truly
domesticated even today. ;-) ) From time to time, a domestic cat gives
birth to a kitten who grows to a large size and has markings that look like
those of a bobcat, leading to rumors of possible hybrids, but no such
hybrids have been confirmed. Frex, over the years several people who saw
Andy for the first time asked me if he was either a bobcat or at least half
bobcat, based on his size and appearance (not as far as I, or my stepsister
who owned his mother and grandmother, know).
>What does this say about the various human races? (Yes I realise how un-PC
>that is, but in context of the discussion I think it is valid.)
Clearly different varieties of the same species, as they are completely
interfertile.
Another question currently being argued: what about modern humans and
Neanderthals? Were they different sub-species of the same species (H. sap.
sap. and H. sap. neandertalis) or separate species who did not and could
not interbreed. A related question: did the Neanderthals disappear
because they were assimilated into modern man by interbreeding, or did they
die out, perhaps killed off by so-called modern man?
--Ronn! :) , D.J. =^.^= , and Midnight =^.^= ,
Spot (1992-96), and Andy (1989-99)
