Why are individual species so few, and homogenous? Why no purple foxes?

Question

Foxes for example... This doesnt make any sense to me there are red foxes everywhere in the world.... Inbreeding causes diversity interbreeding promotes homogeny dont tell me red foxes in florida mate with foxes in canada? It doesnt make any sense there should be more diversity among groups.... I dont know what im trying to say but there are x number of foxes in the world and only a handful of types of foxes when there should be hundreds of different types right? I understand bad mutations cause extinctions and theres only so much space but youre telling me that mutations dont create separate groups of different looking foxes.... Maybe im not factoring for time or something but something is definintely strange about the animal kingdom. X fox is more likely to breed with an X fox than an X(mutated) fox but if x(m) breeds at alll then its offspring enter the populatiins gene pool at some point a mutant fox would produce a dominant gene ? Groups would diversify dijdjdjjsjsjjffjdjddkdk so confusing djdsjssjdjd

Gray Bold · Answer

Natural selection is the gradual, non-random process by which biological traits become either more or less common in a population.  Basically, those with desirable traits (beneficial traits) have a better chance of attracting mates and creating offspring (this is known as sexual selection). Those with less desirable traits attract fewer mates.  Because of this, attractive traits continue within the species and non attractive traits eventually fade away.  There are other factors also.  Strong individuals with certain 
variants of a trait may survive and reproduce more than individuals with other variants.  In essence, any phenotype (observable characteristic) that gives a reproductive advantage will become more common in a population.

οικος · Answer

You're right; you are ignoring one factor (at least). Imagine that anew girl moved into your neighborhood. She was relatively normal except that her skin was bright purple. Would you invite her to be your date for the prom?

? · Answer

All of the purple foxes were eaten because they (being purple) were unable to hide. On the other hand, the red foxes blended in with their environment, and lived to breed again.

Grillparzer · Answer

There are 37 species of foxes in the world.  There are red foxes, grey foxes, silver foxes, and marble foxes.  There are big fox and small fox breeds.  Local environmental pressure and random mutation determines the diversity of a species over time.

Why are individual species so few, and homogenous? Why no purple foxes?

4 Answers