> >  Suppose there's one animal group that has high genetic diversity, but
it's
all in unexpressed DNA, so they all look alike. (Yes, there are animals
like this.) Then, let us suppose, there's a mutation in one gene, but it's
a very important gene, and the animal's offspring is completely changed.
Miraculously, they survive and breed. Is this a new species, based on a
large morphologic difference and just one important genetic difference?
Even if the variation of DNA within the parent group is higher? < <
 
 
I would classify new species if they could not mate with the parent species.
THat is an excellent example of Cladogenesis. You start with one parent
species and through morphological change you get more than one. Thats what
adds to the increase of Diversity. It only takes the one small mutation of an
allele to make this happen.
 
Sarah Watson