Species concepts should not conflict with evolutionary history, but often do.
Many phylogenetic systematists have criticized the Biological Species Concept (BSC) because it distorts evolutionary history. While defences against this particular criticism have been attempted, I argue that these responses are unsuccessful. In addition, I argue that the source of this problem leads to previously unappreciated, and deeper, fatal objections. These objections to the BSC also straightforwardly apply to other species concepts that are not defined by genealogical history. What is missing from many previous discussions is the fact that the Tree of Life, which represents phylogenetic history, is independent of our choice of species concept. Some species concepts are consistent with species having unique positions on the Tree while others, including the BSC, are not. Since representing history is of primary importance in evolutionary biology, these problems lead to the conclusion that the BSC, along with many other species concepts, are unacceptable. If species are to be taxa used in phylogenetic inferences, we need a history-based species concept.
Velasco
Joel D
JD
Department of Philosophy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 5185 White Hall, 600 North Park St., Madison, WI 53719, USA. joelv@stanford.edu
D005075:Biological Evolution; D002965:Classification; D049810:Genetic Speciation; D008954:Models, Biological; D010802:Phylogeny; D013045:Species Specificity