Re: Species [arbitrary to a degree]

[Darryl Jones <dinoguy@sympatico.ca>]

At 02:15 PM 10/22/2001, Ronald I. Orenstein wrote:
> At 11:44 AM 22/10/01 -0500, Tim Williams wrote:
> > Not a good criterion for deciding if a genus is valid, IMHO.  There are 
> > quite a few intergeneric mammal crosses on record.  For example, a hybrid 
> > between a dromedary (_Camelus dromedarius_) and a guanaco (_Lama guanicoe_):
>
> There are also many intergeneric hybrids in birds, notably in ducks, 
> hummingbirds and birds of paradise.

I have a friend who breeds kilifish and he says that he has had several 
intergeneric hybrids.  They also had fertile offspring.  All definitions of 
species run into problems.  No wonder there are so many arguments in 
palaeo, experts can't even agree with LIVING animals.  I am pretty 
convinced that Tyrannosaurus rex and Edmontosaurus annectens should be 
maintained as separate species......



Darryl Jones  <dinoguy@sympatico.ca>

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