The Biological Species Concept, contrary to popular belief, has never been widely accepted. There are papers arguing against it's usefulness since it was originally proposed.



The reason why it's so commonly taught is that it's a useful way to get students thinking about what a species is, or more importantly, what a species is not. Unfortunately, that's led to it being taught dogmatically, at least at the high school level.



So I'm surprised to hear that you've had professors teach it as dogma, as I gather you have. I certainly had the Biological Species Concept taught to me in a dogmatic fashion in high school, but it was introduced much more conceptually in college.



So I can understand your statement that they should change it, but that's not necessary as it's widespread use does not mean it acceptance was ever widespread.



Dogmatic teaching of the BSC is also a pet peeve of mine. I encourage you to read up on it and make conceptual arguments with your professors if they are indeed teaching this as fact. I certainly would have if it had been taught to me that way.



A good place to start is reading on circular overlaps/speciation. The Ensatina salamanders in California are a good model of this.

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