• While species are a more broad category,

ecotypes are narrowed down more

specifically.

• SPECIES: Consists of individuals that are

capable of interbreeding freely with one
another but not with others. (“reproductively
isolated”)
(Source: Life: The Science of Biology)
• Ecotypes, while maintaining all the general
characteristics of the species to which they
belong, also uniquely adapt slowly to their
local environment

• This adaptation allows them to thrive in their

specific location
• Ecotypes appear in response to a process of
natural selection within species.
• NATURAL SELECTION is the “Survival of the
Fittest” along with the “Reproduction of the
Fittest.”

(Source: Class Notes and Life:

The Science of Biology)
• This process of Natural Selection facilitates
evolution by allowing certain traits to be
perpetuated.

• These traits are what separate specific

ecotypes from the species as a whole.
• An ecotype may become a species through a
process of isolation which keeps the ecotype
from interbreeding with others within the
species
• This can occur through two primary process:
• ALLOTROPIC SPECIATION occurs when a
population is divided by a physical barrier
(such as mountains, water, etc.)
• This is thought to be the dominant mode of
speciation among most groups of organisms

(Source: Life: The Science of Biology)

• The other form of speciation, SYMPATRIC
SPECIATION, occurs without physical isolation.

• This occurs usually through some sort of

disruption in the environment which causes
variation in certain members of a species.

(Source: Life: The Science of Biology)