When Two Species Mix

The video explores the concept of species and hybridization, challenging the fixed notion of species by highlighting how interbreeding and hybridization contribute to speciation. It discusses the biological species concept and the role of polyploidy in plants, which allows for hybridization. In animals, homoploid hybrid speciation occurs without changes in chromosome numbers. The video provides examples like wheat and the Italian Sparrow to illustrate these concepts, emphasizing that nature defies strict categorization, and hybrids play a crucial role in evolution.

What is the biological species concept and how does it define a species?

Explain the significance of hybridization in the context of speciation.

What role does polyploidy play in plant hybridization?

Describe the process of back crossing and its importance in hybrid speciation.

How do hybrid species like the Italian Sparrow demonstrate genetic mixing?