Skip to main content

A butterfly can mate with another butterfly to produce fertile offspring only if the two butterflies belong to the same _____.

This question is referring to the concept of speciation and the definition of what makes a particular group of organisms its own species. There are various ways to define a species, but the biological species concept is a widely accepted and commonly used method. The biological species concept states that a species is a group of individuals that can interbreed to produce fertile offspring. This means that if two individuals are not of the same species, they either cannot breed at all or cannot produce fertile offspring. 

This brings me to one of my favorite examples. When a horse and donkey mate, the offspring is called a mule. Mules are sterile and cannot produce their own offspring. Therefore, even though the horse and donkey produced offspring, it's not fertile offspring, so the horse and donkey are considered two separate species. Two horses, however, are of the same species because they can produce fertile offspring. Butterflies would be no different. They would only be able to mate and produce fertile offspring if they are of the same species.


However, it seems that there are always exceptions to the rules when it comes to speciation. The article I linked to below describes how the Appalachian tiger swallowtail butterfly is officially its own species, but genetic analysis has shown us that it is indeed a hybrid between the Eastern tiger swallowtail and the Canadian tiger swallowtail. 


Speciation is a fascinating topic that is full of unique stories of how species recognize each other, who can mate with who, how environment plays a role, and how groups separate and become their own species.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...