Speciation after a geographic barrier separates populations, as with Darwin's finches on separate islands.
A river, mountain, ocean or glacier splits a population (vicariance) or a few individuals colonise a new area (dispersal). Isolated populations undergo different selection and drift until they cannot interbreed.
It is considered the most common mode.
Speciation after a geographic barrier separates populations, as with Darwin's finches on separate islands.
Allopatric Speciation is one of the 53 topics in Evolution. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Speciation, Divergent Evolution, Charles Darwin.
Isthmus of Panama formation separated snapping shrimp populations on the Pacific and Caribbean sides, which became distinct species.
Work through the Beginner topics in Evolution first, such as Evolution, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, then return to Allopatric Speciation. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Allopatric Speciation are Speciation, Divergent Evolution, Charles Darwin, Sympatric Speciation. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Allopatric Speciation. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
Allopatric Speciation: Speciation after a geographic barrier separates populations, as with Darwin's finches on separate islands. Speciation: The formation of new species when populations diverge enough to become reproductively isolated. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Speciation and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
The formation of new species when populations diverge enough to become reproductively isolated.
🦎 EvolutionRelated species become increasingly different as they adapt to separate environments.
🦎 EvolutionThe naturalist who proposed natural selection in On the Origin of Species in 1859 after the Beagle voyage.
🦎 EvolutionNew species arising within the same area, often through polyploidy or ecological specialisation.
🦎 Evolution