If there are two species of butterfly that are able to mate but produce sterile offspring, are the offspring considered a new species?

No. The offspring is not considered a new species. By definition, a species are organisms that are capable of exchanging genes and can successfully breed together. Since the offspring is sterile and cannot interbreed, it is not considered a new species. 

No, a sterile specie cannot be a new specie.

Further explanation

Specie

It can be defined as a group such individuals which can mate and produce new offspring.

Evolution

It can be defined as heritable attributes of natural populations which transfer in next generations over a period of time. These qualities are the statements of qualities that are passed on from parent to descendants. Various qualities will in general exist inside some random population because of transformation, hereditary recombination and mutations. Different factors influence on evolution as gene flow, mutation, natural selection and genetic drift.

Role of mutation in evolution

It can be defined as change that happens in sequence of DNA and this is a permanent change. Different consequence of natural factors, for example, UV light, tobacco and smoke are responsible for mutation. Mutation is major cause of evolution. It can be good and bad.

Natural selection

Evolution can also be caused by natural selection. Creatures that are progressively adjusted to their condition are bound to endure and pass on the qualities that supported their prosperity. This procedure makes species change and wander after some time. Natural selection is one of the approaches to represent a huge number of animal groups that have lived on Earth. Charles Darwin (1809-1882) and Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) are mutually acknowledged for the hypothesis of advancement by regular choice, having co-distributed on it in 1858.

Sterile offspring

Such offspring which can not reproduce are called sterile offspring. That’s why we cannot say that they are new species. Sterile offspring produce as a result of mutation or genetic error.

Answer details

Subject: Biology

Level: High school

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