Ernst Mayr Series

Ernst Mayr was a pivotal figure in 20th-century evolutionary biology, instrumental in shaping the modern evolutionary synthesis. His work fundamentally redefined the concept of a species, moving beyond mere morphological similarity to emphasize reproductive isolation. Mayr posited that species are groups capable of interbreeding exclusively among themselves, thereby addressing the long-standing 'species problem.' His theory of peripatric speciation, inspired by his extensive research on birds, remains a leading explanation for how new species arise.