Question

What is the difference between phenetic species concept and phylogenetic species concept? Which would do a better job of categorising a new specie based on a color morph that is different from the rest of the species? and explain why?

Answer 1

Before knowing the difference between phenetic species concept and phylogenetic species concept, we must know what the terms mean. According to phonetic species concept, a species is a group of organisms which are phenotypically similar to each other and they are different from other groups of organisms by look. Here the separation of species is based on the phenotypic similarity between individuals. This is a best example for morphological species concept and this is not based on any evidences. The main drawbacks of this concept are, (i) variation within species is excluded, and (ii) there is no difference between sibling species, they are morphologically similar but, genetically different.

Phylogenetic species concept is defined as the species is a group of organisms which are descended from a common ancestor and they have common traits in similar. So basically, groups having unique evolutionary history and have traits with common ancestor origin.

Color morph is based on color trait and the main condition of such classification is they must occupy in the same habitat. Categorization based on skin color in Jaguar is the best example of such division of species.

In all above classifications, phylogenetic classification is better one.