Question

Tigers and lions inhabit different areas and different habitats. Tigers live in forested areas in South East Asia while Lions inhabit open savannas in Africa and South West Asia. Lions and tigers never mate in the wild because they are geographically and ecologically isolated. However, in the zoo, they can mate and produce viable offspring. A) Would you classify tigers and lions as the same species using the biological species concept, yes/no and explain what was the main factor in your decision. B) Would you classify tigers and lions as the same species using the ecological species concept, yes/no and explain what was the main factor in your decision.

Answer 1

A. In biology, species can be described as organisms which are similar and are able to inter breed and produce fertile offsprings. According to the definition, tigers and lions have the capability to interbreed and produce viable offsprings. Hence, they can be classified as same species.

B. In ecological terms, I will not classify lions and tigers as the same species. Because they are not living in the same areas and belong to different environments.