Question:
The Biological Species Concept was proposed by _________.
The Biological Species Concept was proposed by _________.
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Think of the scientist who defined species using reproductive isolation, in his 1942 book on systematics.
Updated On: Jul 20, 2026
- Ernst Mayr
- Ronald Fisher
- Sewall Wright
- J. B. S. Haldane
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Recall what the Biological Species Concept says.
The Biological Species Concept defines a species as a group of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups. Reproductive isolation, not just physical similarity, is the deciding factor.
Step 2: Identify who proposed it.
This definition was put forward by the evolutionary biologist Ernst Mayr, most notably in his 1942 book "Systematics and the Origin of Species", where he argued that reproductive isolation was the key criterion for defining species boundaries.
Step 3: Rule out the other scientists.
Ronald Fisher was a statistician and geneticist known for founding population genetics theory and for work connecting Mendelian genetics with Darwinian natural selection (the modern synthesis), not for the species concept itself.
Sewall Wright was another founder of population genetics, known for concepts like genetic drift and the shifting balance theory, again not for defining the Biological Species Concept.
J. B. S. Haldane was also a founder of population genetics and is known for Haldane's rule and for his contributions to the mathematical theory of natural selection, not for this species definition.
Final Answer:
The scientist credited with the Biological Species Concept is
\[ \boxed{\text{Ernst Mayr}} \]
The Biological Species Concept defines a species as a group of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups. Reproductive isolation, not just physical similarity, is the deciding factor.
Step 2: Identify who proposed it.
This definition was put forward by the evolutionary biologist Ernst Mayr, most notably in his 1942 book "Systematics and the Origin of Species", where he argued that reproductive isolation was the key criterion for defining species boundaries.
Step 3: Rule out the other scientists.
Ronald Fisher was a statistician and geneticist known for founding population genetics theory and for work connecting Mendelian genetics with Darwinian natural selection (the modern synthesis), not for the species concept itself.
Sewall Wright was another founder of population genetics, known for concepts like genetic drift and the shifting balance theory, again not for defining the Biological Species Concept.
J. B. S. Haldane was also a founder of population genetics and is known for Haldane's rule and for his contributions to the mathematical theory of natural selection, not for this species definition.
Final Answer:
The scientist credited with the Biological Species Concept is
\[ \boxed{\text{Ernst Mayr}} \]
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