Quetzal wrote:
The truth is that "dog" and "wolf" shouldn't be considered different species, since fertile backcrosses occur in nature. Wolves and dogs share 99%+ the same genomes. Here's a good site discussing wolf-dog hybridization Wolf-Dog Hybrids, which includes some of the genetics.
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It's been a decade since I did my biology degree so I may have this wrong, but I wanted to clarify the above. And it probably should be a new topic but it's a wee thing: doesn't the definition of "species" include not only "able to produce fertile offspring" but also some consideration of behavioural patterns to allow individuals to recognise each other?
There are many species that are easily cross-mated in theory, but would not mate with each other in the wild because they have evolved incompatible mating rituals. I wonder if a poodle let loose in a wolf lair would actually mate with the wolves? (Well, maybe it would think that was fun - especially if it had led a sheltered life.)
Yeah, I will figure out this quote thing in my own time.