Speciation

Mode Definition Mechanisms Example

The classic example of

- Geographic isolation: Physical
barriers like mountains, rivers,
or bodies of water can separate
populations, preventing gene
flow. - Genetic divergence:
Isolated populations accumulate
genetic changes through
Occurs when a single mutation, genetic drift, and
population of a species natural selection. -
becomes geographically Reproductive isolation: Over
isolated into two or more time, genetic differences can
separate populations. These lead to the development of
isolated populations reproductive barriers, such as
accumulate genetic differences in mating behaviors
differences that lead to or incompatibilities, making
Allopatric the formation of distinct interbreeding between
Speciation species. populations less likely.
allopatric speciation is
the Galapagos finches
studied by Charles Darwin.
These finches on the
Galapagos Islands are
believed to have originated
from a single ancestral
population. Over time, they
dispersed to different
islands, leading to
geographic isolation. Each
population adapted to its
specific environment and
evolved distinct beak
shapes and feeding
behaviors, resulting in the
formation of multiple finch
species on different
islands.

Occurs when speciation
takes place within a single
population without
geographic isolation. In
this mode of speciation, a
population diverges into
separate species while
inhabiting the same
geographical area, often
involving ecological or
behavioral factors that
Sympatric create reproductive
Speciation barriers.
- Ecological specialization:
Within a single habitat,
different subgroups of a
population may specialize in
using different resources, such
as food sources or niches. -
Polyploidy: In plants, sympatric
speciation can occur through
polyploidy, where an individual
or population gains extra sets
of chromosomes, leading to
reproductive isolation.
An example of sympatric
speciation is the apple
maggot (Rhagoletis
pomonella). The apple
maggot originally infested
hawthorn trees, but some
populations shifted to
apples, which were
introduced by European
settlers. This shift in
host preference, along with
differences in mating times
and behaviors, created
reproductive isolation
between apple-infesting and
hawthorn-infesting
populations, leading to the
formation of distinct
species.