Species: Difference between revisions
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Modern Biologists are aware that the concept of ''species'' cannot be simply defined, and are careful to avoid ambiguity when using the term. For an overview of this "species problem" see the Wikipedia page [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Species_concept Species Concept]. | Modern Biologists are aware that the concept of ''species'' cannot be simply defined, and are careful to avoid ambiguity when using the term. For an overview of this "species problem" see the Wikipedia page [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Species_concept Species Concept]. | ||
Here is a simple by-the-way explanation of what ''species'' usually means in modern Biology from bro | Here is a simple by-the-way explanation of what ''species'' usually means in modern Biology from bro {{AFowler}}:<blockquote>"{{3dots}} we are using the word 'species' as a biological term referring to groups of plants or animals that can successfully interbreed. Thus horses are a separate species from asses because, although they can interbreed, their progeny (mules and hinnies) are sterile. The different species belonging to the same family or genus share the same basic features; thus all the 87 different species of kingfisher have spear-like beaks and dive for fish and all the 200 species of woodpecker bore into old trees and have long worm-like tongues than harpoon insects. ''The evolution of new species does not involve the acquisition of new organs or structures.''" <div align="right">— [[Alan W Fowler]], Twenty Essays in a Search for Truth, Printland, 2011. p.5</div> | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
Revision as of 10:51, 10 July 2019
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Meaning of "species"
Aristotle: species
Linnaeus: fixity of species
Meaning of "species" in modern Biology
". . . I was much struck how entirely vague and arbitrary is the distinction between species and varieties. . . "
— Charles Darwin, On the origin of species by means of natural selection. 1859
Modern Biologists are aware that the concept of species cannot be simply defined, and are careful to avoid ambiguity when using the term. For an overview of this "species problem" see the Wikipedia page Species Concept.
Here is a simple by-the-way explanation of what species usually means in modern Biology from bro Alan Fowler:
". . . we are using the word 'species' as a biological term referring to groups of plants or animals that can successfully interbreed. Thus horses are a separate species from asses because, although they can interbreed, their progeny (mules and hinnies) are sterile. The different species belonging to the same family or genus share the same basic features; thus all the 87 different species of kingfisher have spear-like beaks and dive for fish and all the 200 species of woodpecker bore into old trees and have long worm-like tongues than harpoon insects. The evolution of new species does not involve the acquisition of new organs or structures."
— Alan W Fowler, Twenty Essays in a Search for Truth, Printland, 2011. p.5
An understanding of the concept of "species" helps avoid wrong thinking like this:
". . . we know that different species of dogs, cats, horses, ducks etc can be mated together and produce fertile offspring" . . .
". . . the modern dog, with over 300 described species . . . "— Rob Thiele, "Things Hard To Be Understood Every beast of the field and every fowl of the air... Gen 2:19"
Lampstand, July-Aug 2019 pp.216-220
Origin of Species and origin of Life
According to Darwin, species originate through change, while life originated miraculously:
"life ... originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one ..."
Compare Baraminology (evolution within the Biblical kinds) and Was the Flood followed by rapid evolution?
See:
