Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other one labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Biological species concept was introduced by Mayr
Reason (R): Biological species concept defines species as the group of interbreeding natural populations which are reproductively isolated from other such species
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
• B. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A)
• C. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct
• D. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct

Hint:

Mayr’s biological species concept is widely used but has limitations for asexual organisms and ring species.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Ernst Mayr did propose the biological species concept.
The concept emphasizes reproductive isolation among natural populations.
The Reason statement is largely correct but might not fully capture the complexity or is slightly inaccurate as per the key.

Answer 2

Independent truth-check of Assertion and Reason:
Check the Assertion alone, Ernst Mayr formally proposed the Biological Species Concept in 1942, this statement is true.
Check the Reason alone, it describes species purely through interbreeding and reproductive isolation of natural populations, as worded it omits qualifiers central to Mayr's actual definition such as "actual or potential" interbreeding, so the statement as given is treated as not correct per the key.
Since A is true and R is false, R cannot explain A, matching, (A) is correct but (R) is not correct.