> i agree with everything here.  In theory, any "cat" (domestic,
cougar,
> mountain lion, ect) could cross-breed with any other 'cat' and
produce
> offspring.  But because of size, physical isolation, and
> other factors, it
> doesn't happen in the wild.  But the end result, if done in
> captivity or test tube, is still a member of the 'cat' species.

Which is an example of the ersatz-scientific mumbo-jumbo Wirt was
talking about (I think he used the term "major misunderstandings");
"cat" isn't a "species"--in the context used here, it's a shorthand
catch-all for members of family Felidae, which is composed of over 30
separate species. In fact (depending on whom you ask), "cat" includes
members of other families, such as the Civets of family Viverridae.

Question: are all "cats" still capable of cross-breeding? Can a Lynx
mate with a Tiger and produce offspring? Can a Pampas Cat impregnate a
Lion? Speaking genetically, that is; obviously some of the combination
would have difficulty from, umm, a "mechanical" viewpoint (sometimes
size *does* matter!).

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