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Table 24.1 Six Concepts of Species Compared
Biological species concept	Emphasizes reproductive isolation, the potential of members of a species to interbreed with each other but not with members of other species.
Morphological species concept	Emphasizes measurable anatomical differences between species. Most species recognized by taxonomists have been designated as separate species based on morphological criteria.
Recognition species concept	Emphasizes mating adaptations that become fixed in a population as individuals "recognize" certain characteristics of suitable mates.
Cohesion species concept	Emphasizes cohesion of phenotype as the basis of species integrity, with each species defined by its integrated complex of genes and set of adaptations.
Ecological species concept	Emphasizes species' roles (niches), their positions and functions in the environment.
Evolutionary species concept	Emphasizes evolutionary lineages and ecological roles.