Why is the genetic species concept a better approach to the biological species concept when attempting to categorise extinct species?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement: Why is the genetic species concept considered a better approach than the biological species concept when categorising extinct species?
Option 1: 'The genetic species concept allows us to more accurately place species onto an evolutionary tree.' This statement highlights a strength of the genetic species concept, since genetic data can reveal evolutionary relationships. However, it does not directly address the core issue with the biological species concept for extinct taxa, which is the impossibility of testing reproductive compatibility in fossils. So while true in principle, it doesn’t explain why genetics is superior specifically for extinct species.
Option 2: 'Genetic data is always better than observations of behaviour.' This is an overgeneralization. In practice, genetic data is incredibly informative, but it is not always superior to behavioural observations in all contexts. Moreover, the assertion that it is always better is not addressing the extinct-species limitation of the biological species concept, making this claim misleading for the given question.
Option 3: 'As the species no longer exist we are unable to assess whether two putative species would mate and produce viable offspring.' This directly targets the fundamental limitation of the biological species concept when dealing with extinct taxa: BSC relies on reproductive isolation tests that require living or testable populations. For extinct species, such mating compatibility data cannot be obtained, so the genetic species concept offers a viable alternative by using genetic differences to delineate lineages. This is the core rationale for preferring genetic over biological species concepts in the context of extinction.
Option 4: 'It isn't, we can use similar modern species to compare instead' This option suggests using living analogues to infer species boundaries in extinct taxa, which is imperfect and does not provide a rigorous, objective framework for species delimitation in fossils. Relying on extant relatives can be informative but does not replace the need for a robust, inheritance-based criterion like the genetic species concept when direct reproductive data are unavailable.
Summary: While options 1 and 4 touch on related ideas, and option 2 makes a broad claim that isn’t specifically tied to extinct taxa, option 3 accurately identifies the key limitation of the biological species concept for extinct species and explains why a genetic approach is preferable in that scenario.

ZOOL30004_2025_SM1 Week 3 Quiz - Brain size, Melanisation and Migration

Why is the genetic species concept a better approach to the biological species concept when attempting to categorise extinct species?

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