In 2013 a complete skull in the country of Georgia was discovered from the Early

Question

In 2013 a complete skull in the country of Georgia was discovered from the Early Pleistocene period (2.5-1 million years ago). A description of the skull and its relevance to early human evolution can be found here:

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2013/10/17/hominid-skull-spurs-radical-rewrite-of-human-evolution/#.VUwst9NVikp

and if you would like to read the complete article in Science, you may read it here:

In chapter 24 in Campbell Biology, pages 504-505, different definitions of species are described. Based on the description of how the investigators are describing the species of the skull and others in the area, answer the questions below.

What information are the investigators using to define a species in this situation?

What species definition are the investigators using?

With these skulls, why or why not, is a Biological species concept applicable?

What do you think is the most needed information to clarify the species of the early skulls discussed in this article? There are many acceptable answers here, only provide one.

Explanation / Answer

1. The investigators are using morphological similarities and age of the skull to define a species in this situation.

2. The definition of species that the investigators are using might be that the group of organisms are said to belong to same species if the structures of their skull are similar in morphology, shape and structure without any subtle variations.

3. With these skulls the concept of biological species are not applicable because the organism which belong to same biological species are capable of breeding together to produce a fertile offspring. The study of skull will not always lead to conclude the concept of biological species.

4. Size and morphological variation among the skull which belonged to same individuals of same period are some of the information needed to clarify the species of the early skulls discussed in this article.

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