Hello folks,

as far as I have learned, sibling species are (morphologically) indistinguishable from (a certain) other species. But in fact, "sibling species" are no valid taxonomic entity, but I have read some papers regarding such as separate sub- or full species.

I understand that even allopatric populations are not always considered a subspecies or at specific rank, at least if morphologically indistinguishable from the "nominate species". Although this was commonly done in the past.
So, what is to do with allopatric species that are indistinguishable from a certain other species.

Doesn't allopatry also mean not having gene flow, a reduced gene pool and therefore eventually the development of certain characters (due to environmental factors)? If so, any allopatric population would become a subspecies and later perhaps a species over time, and could definitly be considered as sibling species prior to subspecific or specific level?

Where is my error in thinking then?

Cheers,
Wulf
-----
http://www.leiopython.de - the white-lipped python site -
http://www.herpers-digest.com - herp related eBooks search -

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]