Allopatric speciation
Allopatric speciation (pronounced: al-oh-PAT-ric spee-see-AY-shun) is a term used in evolutionary biology to describe a mode of speciation that occurs when biological populations of the same species become geographically isolated from each other to an extent that prevents or interferes with gene flow.
Etymology
The term "allopatric" is derived from the Greek allos (ἄλλος), meaning "other", and patra (πατρίς), meaning "fatherland". The term was coined by Ernst Mayr in 1942.
Process
In allopatric speciation, a species is divided into two or more geographically isolated populations. This can be the result of a physical barrier, such as a mountain range or river, or it may be due to migration to a new area. Over time, these isolated populations may diverge due to natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation, leading to the development of distinct species.
Related Terms
- Peripatric speciation: A mode of speciation in which a new species is formed from an isolated peripheral population.
- Sympatric speciation: The process through which new species evolve from a single ancestral species while inhabiting the same geographic region.
- Parapatric speciation: Speciation pattern in which populations speciate while in contact along a common border.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Allopatric speciation
- Wikipedia's article - Allopatric speciation
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