Carol -
The basis of the Biological Species Concept (BSC) is reproductive isolation
(biological - not geographical); biological species are actual or potential
viably reproductive units. The basis of the Phylogenetic Species Concept
is cladistics; a phylogenetic species is the smallest distinct group or
population of common ancestry - evolutionary units.
Once you start getting into details there are many complications. A couple
of interesting papers to read are:
Zink, Robert M. (1997). Species concepts. Bulletin of the British
Ornithologists' Club 117 (2): 97-109.
Snow, D.W. (1997). Should the biological be superseded by the phylogenetic
species concept?. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 117 (2):
110-121.
Both papers are extensivly referenced and will lead you, if you are so
inclined, deep into an ongoing debate.
Regards, Hugo.
Hugo Phillipps,
Birds Australia Conservation & Liaison,
Australian Bird Research Centre,
415 Riversdale Road,
Hawthorn East, VIC 3123, Australia.
Tel: (03) 9882 2622. Fax: (03) 9882 2677.
O/s: +61 3 9882 2622. Fax: +61 3 9882 2677.
Email: <>
Web Homepage: http://www.vicnet.net.au/~birdsaus/
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