Question

Brinjal and Potato belong to the same genus Solanum but the two are different species, what defines them as different species?

Answer 1

Taxonomy is a branch of biology that involves the process of classifying different biological species. Classification level is "the process of grouping diverse creatures from kingdom to species in descending or ascending order on a continuous biological classification level, and vice versa".

Complete answer:
To answer this question, we need to focus on the taxonomy, classification and nomenclature of organisms
A genus is a group or group of related species that are similar in some related characteristics. Eggplant and potato belong to the same genus Solanum , but belong to different species namely Solanum melongena and Solanum tuberosum. The main criterion for defining two different species is that they cannot cross reproduce or interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Potatoes and eggplants cannot cross each other, so they are identified as different species.
So, brinjal and potato can be described as two different species based on:
i. Their morphological differences.
ii. Their reproductive isolation i.e., inability to cross breed.

Additional information:
The taxonomic hierarchy in biological classification is as follows:
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
From kingdom to species level, specificity of organisms increases.

Note:
Potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants are three economically important food crops that belong to the Solanum genus of flowering plants (brinjals). It also contains nightshades and nettles, as well as many cultivated plants.Solanum plants exhibit a variety of growth forms, such as annual and perennial plants, vines, shrubs, shrubs and small trees.