What is the Difference Between Breed and Species?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a breed and a species lies in their definitions, reproduction, and selection processes. Here are the key differences:
- Definition: A breed is a collection of organisms within a species that have different characteristics as a result of selective breeding. A species is a group of organisms that may breed to generate viable offspring when they interbreed.
- Reproduction: Different breeds of a species can mate with each other, as they are not reproductively isolated. Organisms belonging to two different species are reproductively isolated, meaning they cannot reproduce with others due to incompatibility.
- Selection Process: Breeds are developed through artificial selection, where humans identify desirable features in plants and animals and take efforts to improve and maintain those traits in future generations. Species evolve through natural selection, where the environment determines the traits that are most suited for survival.
For example, different breeds of cows like Red Sindhi, Gir, and Sahiwal are all part of the Bos taurus species.
Comparative Table: Breed vs Species
The difference between breed and species can be summarized as follows:
| Category | Breed | Species |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A breed is a specific group of domesticated animals within the same species, selected and maintained for specific desirable traits. | A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce viable, fertile offspring. species are classified based on their natural characteristics. |
| Interbreeding | Breeds within the same species can interbreed. | Different species generally cannot interbreed. |
| Variability | Breeds have variations in traits like appearance, behavior, or physical characteristics. | Species have variations in traits within their natural limits, but these variations are generally smaller than those between breeds. |
| Human Intervention | Breeds are created and maintained by human selection, often for specific purposes like domestication, appearance, or performance. | Species are natural classifications of organisms, not influenced by human intervention. |
In summary, a species refers to a natural classification of organisms based on their ability to interbreed, while a breed refers to a human-selected group of animals within the same species, maintained for specific desirable traits.
Read more:
- Race vs Species
- Genus vs Species
- Species vs Population
- Species vs Strain
- Genetic Diversity vs Species Diversity
- Mating vs Breeding
- Evolution vs Speciation
- Mixed breed vs Cross breed
- Birds vs Animals
- Dogs vs Cats
- Endangered Species vs Threatened Species
- Hybridization vs Cross Breeding
- Dog vs Puppy
- Mammals vs Animals
- Dogs vs Wolves
- Male vs Female Dogs
- Animal vs Human
- Wild Animals vs Domestic Animals
- Feline vs Canine