>> Well, Scottish wildcats are considered a separate species, but they interbreed with domestic cats [which is kind of a problem]. In point of fact, most small [and not so small] wild cat species can interbreed with domestic cats. <<
It's true that they can. Without human intervention, though, mostly they don't. A majority of hybrids come from breeding programs to produce new breeds like the Bengal and the Savanna Cat.
>> Hemingway cats have a stable form of polydactyly mutation, they breed true [although not dominant with regular cats] They've certainly started to develop functional thumbs, and have crossed the boundary that they could be considered a new species. I suspect that they won't be classified as such though, it would make people uncomfortable.<<
The strongest marker for species division is inability to produce fertile offspring with the closest relative(s). However, it's not a requirement. Another very common division is that they could interbreed, but they don't do so, either for cultural differences (e.g. grouses with different mating dances), geographical distance, or some other reason. Morphological differences -- as in the Hemingway thumbs -- can also be an indicator of species differences.
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dancing_serpent
Re: Yes ...
Date: 2021-07-26 05:00 am (UTC)It's true that they can. Without human intervention, though, mostly they don't. A majority of hybrids come from breeding programs to produce new breeds like the Bengal and the Savanna Cat.
>> Hemingway cats have a stable form of polydactyly mutation, they breed true [although not dominant with regular cats] They've certainly started to develop functional thumbs, and have crossed the boundary that they could be considered a new species. I suspect that they won't be classified as such though, it would make people uncomfortable.<<
The strongest marker for species division is inability to produce fertile offspring with the closest relative(s). However, it's not a requirement. Another very common division is that they could interbreed, but they don't do so, either for cultural differences (e.g. grouses with different mating dances), geographical distance, or some other reason. Morphological differences -- as in the Hemingway thumbs -- can also be an indicator of species differences.