The Species Problem

The Species Problem refers to the ongoing debate among scientists about how to define and identify what makes a group of organisms a distinct "species." Because nature doesn’t always fit neat categories—organisms can interbreed or show differences—determining where one species ends and another begins can be complicated. Different criteria, such as reproductive isolation or physical traits, lead to various classifications. This complexity highlights that "species" is a useful but sometimes imperfect concept, reflecting the continuous and dynamic nature of evolution and biological diversity.