Mixing
Would a society with two different species that can interbreed be viable?
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One species has two genders, like humans, the other has three(essentially male, female, and one without breeding capabilities that first appears as a genetic quirk but quickly becomes more prominent until it is equal to the other two). It is in an advanced society with two different regions, one for each species, on opposite sides of a small planet.
reality-check biology xenobiology
asked 3 hours ago
EnglandsGirl1818
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add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
One species has two genders, like humans, the other has three(essentially male, female, and one without breeding capabilities that first appears as a genetic quirk but quickly becomes more prominent until it is equal to the other two). It is in an advanced society with two different regions, one for each species, on opposite sides of a small planet.
reality-check biology xenobiology
asked 3 hours ago
EnglandsGirl1818
112
New contributor
EnglandsGirl1818 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
This is an interesting question but to help focus the answers - Why do you think it wouldn't be? What stops it from being viable?
– Tim B♦
2 hours ago
Hello @EnglandsGirl1818 and welcome to Worldbuilding! In order to make your question easier to answer, it would help, if you could clarify what you mean by "quickly becomes more prominent until it is equal to the other two".
– alex2006
2 hours ago
I'm not sure if it would work biologically, but there is a physical difference between the two species. One has purple skin and silver hair, while the other is essentially human. Would humans slowly develop purplish skin or would the other species change in response as they interbreed?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
I'm thinking that it basically occures more and more as a type of birth defect until the numbers get so high that it becomes a social/societal norm. Is that what you meant by that, or did you mean something else?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
One species has two genders, like humans, the other has three(essentially male, female, and one without breeding capabilities that first appears as a genetic quirk but quickly becomes more prominent until it is equal to the other two). It is in an advanced society with two different regions, one for each species, on opposite sides of a small planet.
reality-check biology xenobiology
asked 3 hours ago
EnglandsGirl1818
112
New contributor
EnglandsGirl1818 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
One species has two genders, like humans, the other has three(essentially male, female, and one without breeding capabilities that first appears as a genetic quirk but quickly becomes more prominent until it is equal to the other two). It is in an advanced society with two different regions, one for each species, on opposite sides of a small planet.
reality-check biology xenobiology
reality-check biology xenobiology
asked 3 hours ago
EnglandsGirl1818
112
New contributor
EnglandsGirl1818 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 3 hours ago
EnglandsGirl1818
112
New contributor
EnglandsGirl1818 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
edited 3 hours ago
asked 3 hours ago
EnglandsGirl1818
112
New contributor
EnglandsGirl1818 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 3 hours ago
EnglandsGirl1818
112
asked 3 hours ago
EnglandsGirl1818
112
112
New contributor
EnglandsGirl1818 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
EnglandsGirl1818 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
EnglandsGirl1818 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
This is an interesting question but to help focus the answers - Why do you think it wouldn't be? What stops it from being viable?
– Tim B♦
2 hours ago
Hello @EnglandsGirl1818 and welcome to Worldbuilding! In order to make your question easier to answer, it would help, if you could clarify what you mean by "quickly becomes more prominent until it is equal to the other two".
– alex2006
2 hours ago
I'm not sure if it would work biologically, but there is a physical difference between the two species. One has purple skin and silver hair, while the other is essentially human. Would humans slowly develop purplish skin or would the other species change in response as they interbreed?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
I'm thinking that it basically occures more and more as a type of birth defect until the numbers get so high that it becomes a social/societal norm. Is that what you meant by that, or did you mean something else?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
This is an interesting question but to help focus the answers - Why do you think it wouldn't be? What stops it from being viable?
– Tim B♦
2 hours ago
Hello @EnglandsGirl1818 and welcome to Worldbuilding! In order to make your question easier to answer, it would help, if you could clarify what you mean by "quickly becomes more prominent until it is equal to the other two".
– alex2006
2 hours ago
I'm not sure if it would work biologically, but there is a physical difference between the two species. One has purple skin and silver hair, while the other is essentially human. Would humans slowly develop purplish skin or would the other species change in response as they interbreed?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
I'm thinking that it basically occures more and more as a type of birth defect until the numbers get so high that it becomes a social/societal norm. Is that what you meant by that, or did you mean something else?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
This is an interesting question but to help focus the answers - Why do you think it wouldn't be? What stops it from being viable?
– Tim B♦
2 hours ago
This is an interesting question but to help focus the answers - Why do you think it wouldn't be? What stops it from being viable?
– Tim B♦
2 hours ago
Hello @EnglandsGirl1818 and welcome to Worldbuilding! In order to make your question easier to answer, it would help, if you could clarify what you mean by "quickly becomes more prominent until it is equal to the other two".
– alex2006
2 hours ago
Hello @EnglandsGirl1818 and welcome to Worldbuilding! In order to make your question easier to answer, it would help, if you could clarify what you mean by "quickly becomes more prominent until it is equal to the other two".
– alex2006
2 hours ago
I'm not sure if it would work biologically, but there is a physical difference between the two species. One has purple skin and silver hair, while the other is essentially human. Would humans slowly develop purplish skin or would the other species change in response as they interbreed?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
I'm not sure if it would work biologically, but there is a physical difference between the two species. One has purple skin and silver hair, while the other is essentially human. Would humans slowly develop purplish skin or would the other species change in response as they interbreed?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
I'm thinking that it basically occures more and more as a type of birth defect until the numbers get so high that it becomes a social/societal norm. Is that what you meant by that, or did you mean something else?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
I'm thinking that it basically occures more and more as a type of birth defect until the numbers get so high that it becomes a social/societal norm. Is that what you meant by that, or did you mean something else?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
In biology a species is defined as
"a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable
of exchanging genes or interbreeding" or
"the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or
mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction."
Therefore, if they can interbreed, they are by definition basically not different species but only two very different looking races of the same species i.e. variants of the same species. This does not mean that they cannot have completely different physical appearances or capabilities; as an example consider how different a chihuahua is compared to a St. Bernhard, but they are basically both dogs and can interbreed.
answered 1 hour ago
alex2006
2,190720
Okay, that makes a lot of sense. But how do I explain the different types of gender?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
An environmental factor on the one site could render some members of the species infertile or basically suppress the development of sexual hormones and reproductive systems in some members of the species exposed to this factor.
– alex2006
1 hour ago
Thank you, that really helps! I like the idea of it being an environmental factor.
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
Races do not exist in science and Homo Neanderthalensis and Homo Sapiens were able to inbreed, even though they were different species of humans.
– Eries
1 hour ago
the interbreeding between neanders & hss appears to have been limited to hss males & neander females, or at least all known hybrids of neander dna are female . but your point is well taken - species is an elastic concept, and drawing lines somewhat arbitrary. ernst mayr put it this way: "species are groups of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups." which allows for inclusion of what might otherwise be termed incipient species.
– theRiley
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Short answer: Sure. Why not?
Longer answer: Horses exist. Donkeys exist. Horses and Donkeys can interbreed. Do donkeys become more horselike over time? No. Why? The offspring of an inter species breeding are typically infertile, and so can’t pass on the traits of either species. They can mess with breeding patterns by ‘stealing’ potential mates, but otherwise they have no further genetic impact.
If the two species can interbreed and produce fertile offspring then Alex2006’s answer applies: they are not two distinct species. You can get fuzzy on the whys and wherefores of when you choose to ‘split’ the species, but that’s mostly an arbitrary ‘because I said so’.
As for the social implications of whether two sapient species can coexist peacefully without the word ‘genocide’ getting used a lot: we can’t say much. But from a biological perspective if you simply have interspecies children be infertile then your problem completely goes away.
answered 6 mins ago
Joe Bloggs
32.6k1894166
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
In biology a species is defined as
"a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable
of exchanging genes or interbreeding" or
"the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or
mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction."
Therefore, if they can interbreed, they are by definition basically not different species but only two very different looking races of the same species i.e. variants of the same species. This does not mean that they cannot have completely different physical appearances or capabilities; as an example consider how different a chihuahua is compared to a St. Bernhard, but they are basically both dogs and can interbreed.
answered 1 hour ago
alex2006
2,190720
Okay, that makes a lot of sense. But how do I explain the different types of gender?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
An environmental factor on the one site could render some members of the species infertile or basically suppress the development of sexual hormones and reproductive systems in some members of the species exposed to this factor.
– alex2006
1 hour ago
Thank you, that really helps! I like the idea of it being an environmental factor.
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
Races do not exist in science and Homo Neanderthalensis and Homo Sapiens were able to inbreed, even though they were different species of humans.
– Eries
1 hour ago
the interbreeding between neanders & hss appears to have been limited to hss males & neander females, or at least all known hybrids of neander dna are female . but your point is well taken - species is an elastic concept, and drawing lines somewhat arbitrary. ernst mayr put it this way: "species are groups of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups." which allows for inclusion of what might otherwise be termed incipient species.
– theRiley
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
In biology a species is defined as
"a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable
of exchanging genes or interbreeding" or
"the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or
mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction."
Therefore, if they can interbreed, they are by definition basically not different species but only two very different looking races of the same species i.e. variants of the same species. This does not mean that they cannot have completely different physical appearances or capabilities; as an example consider how different a chihuahua is compared to a St. Bernhard, but they are basically both dogs and can interbreed.
answered 1 hour ago
alex2006
2,190720
Okay, that makes a lot of sense. But how do I explain the different types of gender?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
An environmental factor on the one site could render some members of the species infertile or basically suppress the development of sexual hormones and reproductive systems in some members of the species exposed to this factor.
– alex2006
1 hour ago
Thank you, that really helps! I like the idea of it being an environmental factor.
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
Races do not exist in science and Homo Neanderthalensis and Homo Sapiens were able to inbreed, even though they were different species of humans.
– Eries
1 hour ago
the interbreeding between neanders & hss appears to have been limited to hss males & neander females, or at least all known hybrids of neander dna are female . but your point is well taken - species is an elastic concept, and drawing lines somewhat arbitrary. ernst mayr put it this way: "species are groups of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups." which allows for inclusion of what might otherwise be termed incipient species.
– theRiley
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
In biology a species is defined as
"a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable
of exchanging genes or interbreeding" or
"the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or
mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction."
Therefore, if they can interbreed, they are by definition basically not different species but only two very different looking races of the same species i.e. variants of the same species. This does not mean that they cannot have completely different physical appearances or capabilities; as an example consider how different a chihuahua is compared to a St. Bernhard, but they are basically both dogs and can interbreed.
answered 1 hour ago
alex2006
2,190720
In biology a species is defined as
"a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable
of exchanging genes or interbreeding" or
"the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or
mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction."
Therefore, if they can interbreed, they are by definition basically not different species but only two very different looking races of the same species i.e. variants of the same species. This does not mean that they cannot have completely different physical appearances or capabilities; as an example consider how different a chihuahua is compared to a St. Bernhard, but they are basically both dogs and can interbreed.
answered 1 hour ago
alex2006
2,190720
answered 1 hour ago
alex2006
2,190720
answered 1 hour ago
alex2006
2,190720
answered 1 hour ago
alex2006
2,190720
2,190720
Okay, that makes a lot of sense. But how do I explain the different types of gender?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
An environmental factor on the one site could render some members of the species infertile or basically suppress the development of sexual hormones and reproductive systems in some members of the species exposed to this factor.
– alex2006
1 hour ago
Thank you, that really helps! I like the idea of it being an environmental factor.
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
Races do not exist in science and Homo Neanderthalensis and Homo Sapiens were able to inbreed, even though they were different species of humans.
– Eries
1 hour ago
the interbreeding between neanders & hss appears to have been limited to hss males & neander females, or at least all known hybrids of neander dna are female . but your point is well taken - species is an elastic concept, and drawing lines somewhat arbitrary. ernst mayr put it this way: "species are groups of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups." which allows for inclusion of what might otherwise be termed incipient species.
– theRiley
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
Okay, that makes a lot of sense. But how do I explain the different types of gender?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
An environmental factor on the one site could render some members of the species infertile or basically suppress the development of sexual hormones and reproductive systems in some members of the species exposed to this factor.
– alex2006
1 hour ago
Thank you, that really helps! I like the idea of it being an environmental factor.
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
Races do not exist in science and Homo Neanderthalensis and Homo Sapiens were able to inbreed, even though they were different species of humans.
– Eries
1 hour ago
the interbreeding between neanders & hss appears to have been limited to hss males & neander females, or at least all known hybrids of neander dna are female . but your point is well taken - species is an elastic concept, and drawing lines somewhat arbitrary. ernst mayr put it this way: "species are groups of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups." which allows for inclusion of what might otherwise be termed incipient species.
– theRiley
1 hour ago
Okay, that makes a lot of sense. But how do I explain the different types of gender?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
Okay, that makes a lot of sense. But how do I explain the different types of gender?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
An environmental factor on the one site could render some members of the species infertile or basically suppress the development of sexual hormones and reproductive systems in some members of the species exposed to this factor.
– alex2006
1 hour ago
An environmental factor on the one site could render some members of the species infertile or basically suppress the development of sexual hormones and reproductive systems in some members of the species exposed to this factor.
– alex2006
1 hour ago
Thank you, that really helps! I like the idea of it being an environmental factor.
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
Thank you, that really helps! I like the idea of it being an environmental factor.
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
Races do not exist in science and Homo Neanderthalensis and Homo Sapiens were able to inbreed, even though they were different species of humans.
– Eries
1 hour ago
Races do not exist in science and Homo Neanderthalensis and Homo Sapiens were able to inbreed, even though they were different species of humans.
– Eries
1 hour ago
the interbreeding between neanders & hss appears to have been limited to hss males & neander females, or at least all known hybrids of neander dna are female . but your point is well taken - species is an elastic concept, and drawing lines somewhat arbitrary. ernst mayr put it this way: "species are groups of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups." which allows for inclusion of what might otherwise be termed incipient species.
– theRiley
1 hour ago
the interbreeding between neanders & hss appears to have been limited to hss males & neander females, or at least all known hybrids of neander dna are female . but your point is well taken - species is an elastic concept, and drawing lines somewhat arbitrary. ernst mayr put it this way: "species are groups of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups." which allows for inclusion of what might otherwise be termed incipient species.
– theRiley
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Short answer: Sure. Why not?
Longer answer: Horses exist. Donkeys exist. Horses and Donkeys can interbreed. Do donkeys become more horselike over time? No. Why? The offspring of an inter species breeding are typically infertile, and so can’t pass on the traits of either species. They can mess with breeding patterns by ‘stealing’ potential mates, but otherwise they have no further genetic impact.
If the two species can interbreed and produce fertile offspring then Alex2006’s answer applies: they are not two distinct species. You can get fuzzy on the whys and wherefores of when you choose to ‘split’ the species, but that’s mostly an arbitrary ‘because I said so’.
As for the social implications of whether two sapient species can coexist peacefully without the word ‘genocide’ getting used a lot: we can’t say much. But from a biological perspective if you simply have interspecies children be infertile then your problem completely goes away.
answered 6 mins ago
Joe Bloggs
32.6k1894166
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Short answer: Sure. Why not?
Longer answer: Horses exist. Donkeys exist. Horses and Donkeys can interbreed. Do donkeys become more horselike over time? No. Why? The offspring of an inter species breeding are typically infertile, and so can’t pass on the traits of either species. They can mess with breeding patterns by ‘stealing’ potential mates, but otherwise they have no further genetic impact.
If the two species can interbreed and produce fertile offspring then Alex2006’s answer applies: they are not two distinct species. You can get fuzzy on the whys and wherefores of when you choose to ‘split’ the species, but that’s mostly an arbitrary ‘because I said so’.
As for the social implications of whether two sapient species can coexist peacefully without the word ‘genocide’ getting used a lot: we can’t say much. But from a biological perspective if you simply have interspecies children be infertile then your problem completely goes away.
answered 6 mins ago
Joe Bloggs
32.6k1894166
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Short answer: Sure. Why not?
Longer answer: Horses exist. Donkeys exist. Horses and Donkeys can interbreed. Do donkeys become more horselike over time? No. Why? The offspring of an inter species breeding are typically infertile, and so can’t pass on the traits of either species. They can mess with breeding patterns by ‘stealing’ potential mates, but otherwise they have no further genetic impact.
If the two species can interbreed and produce fertile offspring then Alex2006’s answer applies: they are not two distinct species. You can get fuzzy on the whys and wherefores of when you choose to ‘split’ the species, but that’s mostly an arbitrary ‘because I said so’.
As for the social implications of whether two sapient species can coexist peacefully without the word ‘genocide’ getting used a lot: we can’t say much. But from a biological perspective if you simply have interspecies children be infertile then your problem completely goes away.
answered 6 mins ago
Joe Bloggs
32.6k1894166
Short answer: Sure. Why not?
Longer answer: Horses exist. Donkeys exist. Horses and Donkeys can interbreed. Do donkeys become more horselike over time? No. Why? The offspring of an inter species breeding are typically infertile, and so can’t pass on the traits of either species. They can mess with breeding patterns by ‘stealing’ potential mates, but otherwise they have no further genetic impact.
If the two species can interbreed and produce fertile offspring then Alex2006’s answer applies: they are not two distinct species. You can get fuzzy on the whys and wherefores of when you choose to ‘split’ the species, but that’s mostly an arbitrary ‘because I said so’.
As for the social implications of whether two sapient species can coexist peacefully without the word ‘genocide’ getting used a lot: we can’t say much. But from a biological perspective if you simply have interspecies children be infertile then your problem completely goes away.
answered 6 mins ago
Joe Bloggs
32.6k1894166
answered 6 mins ago
Joe Bloggs
32.6k1894166
answered 6 mins ago
Joe Bloggs
32.6k1894166
answered 6 mins ago
Joe Bloggs
32.6k1894166
32.6k1894166
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
EnglandsGirl1818 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
EnglandsGirl1818 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
EnglandsGirl1818 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
EnglandsGirl1818 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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This is an interesting question but to help focus the answers - Why do you think it wouldn't be? What stops it from being viable?
– Tim B♦
2 hours ago
Hello @EnglandsGirl1818 and welcome to Worldbuilding! In order to make your question easier to answer, it would help, if you could clarify what you mean by "quickly becomes more prominent until it is equal to the other two".
– alex2006
2 hours ago
I'm not sure if it would work biologically, but there is a physical difference between the two species. One has purple skin and silver hair, while the other is essentially human. Would humans slowly develop purplish skin or would the other species change in response as they interbreed?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago
I'm thinking that it basically occures more and more as a type of birth defect until the numbers get so high that it becomes a social/societal norm. Is that what you meant by that, or did you mean something else?
– EnglandsGirl1818
1 hour ago