Question

Grizzly bears and polar bears are currently recognized by many biologists as being two distinct species. However, it has been shown that there were hybridization events both in the past and presently occurring due to grizzly bears expanding their range northwards as a result of anthropogenic climate change. Under the evolutionary species concept sensu Wiley 1978, what would be required to ultimately determine whether these two lineages represent distinct species or not? A) Interbreeding trials to determine whether hybrid offspring of the polar bear and grizzly bear mated with one another can produce viable offspring, thus suggesting interbreeding can proceed beyond a single mating event. B) Ecological investigations to determine whether northern grizzly bears truly occupy a distinct niche from polar bears, and vice versa for southern populations of polar bears. C) Phylogenetic analysis incorporating individuals from populations of grizzly bears in the north and individuals from populations of polar bears in the south, utilizing loci from across the genome to determine whether they each form a monophyletic group. D) Time in order to see if in the future these two lineages of ancestral descendant populations maintain their own unique identity and their own evolutionary tendencies and historical fate.

          Grizzly bears and polar bears are currently recognized by many biologists as being two distinct species. However, it has been shown that there were hybridization events both in the past and presently occurring due to grizzly bears expanding their range northwards as a result of anthropogenic climate change. Under the evolutionary species concept sensu Wiley 1978, what would be required to ultimately determine whether these two lineages represent distinct species or not?

A) Interbreeding trials to determine whether hybrid offspring of the polar bear and grizzly bear mated with one another can produce viable offspring, thus suggesting interbreeding can proceed beyond a single mating event.

B) Ecological investigations to determine whether northern grizzly bears truly occupy a distinct niche from polar bears, and vice versa for southern populations of polar bears.

C) Phylogenetic analysis incorporating individuals from populations of grizzly bears in the north and individuals from populations of polar bears in the south, utilizing loci from across the genome to determine whether they each form a monophyletic group.

D) Time in order to see if in the future these two lineages of ancestral descendant populations maintain their own unique identity and their own evolutionary tendencies and historical fate.

Added by Heather B.

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