Glossary of speciation
Glossary of Speciation[edit | edit source]
Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species. This glossary provides definitions and explanations of key terms related to speciation, aiding in the understanding of how new species arise.
A[edit | edit source]
Allopatric speciation
- A form of speciation that occurs when biological populations of the same species become isolated from each other to an extent that prevents or interferes with genetic interchange. This is often due to geographical barriers such as mountains or rivers.
B[edit | edit source]
Biological species concept
- A definition of species that relies on the ability of individuals to interbreed and produce fertile offspring. According to this concept, species are groups of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups.
C[edit | edit source]
Cladogenesis
- The process by which a species splits into two distinct species, rather than one species gradually transforming into another. This is a key mechanism of speciation.
E[edit | edit source]
Ecological speciation
- The evolution of reproductive barriers between populations as a result of adaptation to different environments or ecological niches.
G[edit | edit source]
Genetic drift
- A mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles in a population. It can lead to speciation, especially in small populations, by causing genetic divergence.
H[edit | edit source]
Hybrid zone
- A geographic area where interbreeding occurs between two species, often leading to the production of hybrid offspring. These zones can provide insights into the process of speciation and the maintenance of species boundaries.
P[edit | edit source]
Parapatric speciation
- A mode of speciation in which two subpopulations of a species evolve reproductive isolation from one another while continuing to exchange genes. This often occurs in populations that are adjacent to each other.
Peripatric speciation
- A form of speciation that occurs when a small population becomes isolated at the edge of a larger population. This is similar to allopatric speciation but involves a smaller population that is more likely to undergo genetic drift.
S[edit | edit source]
Sympatric speciation
- A form of speciation that occurs when new species evolve from a single ancestral species while inhabiting the same geographic region. This can occur through mechanisms such as polyploidy, sexual selection, or ecological differentiation.
V[edit | edit source]
Vicariance
- The process by which the geographical range of a species is split into discontinuous parts by the formation of a physical barrier, leading to allopatric speciation.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- Mayr, E. (1963). Animal Species and Evolution. Harvard University Press.
- Coyne, J. A., & Orr, H. A. (2004). Speciation. Sinauer Associates.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD