For some time now, I’ve been wondering if it isn’t time to re-examine how we decide something is a distinct species. Sometimes, it almost seems like we are too quick to declare something a distinct species. Is there some sort of diversity contest going on that we don’t know about? The scientist who identifies the most species wins a trip somewhere or something? The country with the most species gets a plaque?
Seriously though, I realize a WHOLE pile of theory is built on the fact that this animal is a member of this species and not that, but what if we took a fresh look at this?
