> Also out of my knowledge, but the hypothesized tree of evolution contains only distinct species AFAIK. A true missing link would be an intermediate stage ...
They're all species. There's no such thing as an intermediate non-species. Species are conventionally defined as a group that breeds with its own group, and are distinguished by the fact that they cannot breed with other species. So all those intermediate stages were also species.
Some species didn't last very long, and the farther back in time we go, the less chance we have of locating clear evidence for particular species. But that doesn't mean they weren't species, as that term is defined.
They're all species. There's no such thing as an intermediate non-species. Species are conventionally defined as a group that breeds with its own group, and are distinguished by the fact that they cannot breed with other species. So all those intermediate stages were also species.
Some species didn't last very long, and the farther back in time we go, the less chance we have of locating clear evidence for particular species. But that doesn't mean they weren't species, as that term is defined.