Journal
CONSERVATION GENETICS
Volume 18, Issue 6, Pages 1247-1256Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10592-017-0976-0
Keywords
Evolutionary species; Phylogenetic species concept; Ceratotherium; Loxodonta; Giraffa; Oreotragus
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Funding
- University of Venda
- National Research Foundation
- Department of Science and Technology under the South African Research Chair Initiative (SARChI) on Biodiversity Value and Change within the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve hosted at University of Venda
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The nature of species, especially as applied to large mammals, is of major concern in conservation. Here, we briefly comment on recent thinking in alpha taxonomy, and assert that species are in essence evolutionary lineages, and that the most effective way of recognising them is by their diagnosability, i.e. the so-called Phylogenetic Species Concept. We further assert that the amount of genetic distance is not a relevant datum for distinguishing species, and that the ability to interbreed is not relevant. We consider a few case studies, especially that of the Northern White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium cottoni, and also species in Loxodonta, Giraffa and Oreotragus.
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