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I read that humans are a few percent Neanderthal. So how much difference between egg and sperm is needed for there to be no offspring. That is, for there to be two different species? Is this a measurable quantity or just a random genetic mismatch?

Gordon Stanger
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    The 'no offspring' barrier is a bit arbitrary, I'm afraid. Consider pizzly/grolar bears, who are perfectly fertile. And yet grizzly bears and polar bears are considered two different species. – Resonating Jan 15 '16 at 15:20
  • Could you please add a reference to where you read something. It helps to give a frame of reference to people trying to answer your question. An article in the Daily Herald, is different than one that you read in Popular Science is different that one you read in Nature. – AMR Jan 15 '16 at 18:48
  • Try reading this first, Reproductive Isolation , and then if this still doesn't answer your question or if it raises other questions, please feel free to edit your question. – AMR Jan 15 '16 at 19:03
  • Besides "species" being an ill-defined term, the required genetic divergence isn't appropriately characterized by "how much" genetic change, but rather what precise genes have changed in what ways to prevent population mixing. A single gene or two might cause it, if it affects a critical function, say having to do with sperm/ovum compatibility. – mgkrebbs Jan 15 '16 at 19:04

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