Reciprocal evolutionary change in interacting species, such as flowers and their pollinators.
Interactions can be antagonistic (predator-prey, host-parasite) or mutualistic (yucca and yucca moth; figs and fig wasps). Each species imposes selection on the other.
Coevolution can lead to arms races and tight dependencies.
Reciprocal evolutionary change in interacting species, such as flowers and their pollinators.
Coevolution 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 Charles Darwin, Phylogenetic Trees, Punctuated Equilibrium.
Madagascar's Darwin's orchid has a very long spur, and Darwin predicted a moth with a long tongue, later discovered.
Work through the Beginner topics in Evolution first, such as Evolution, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, then return to Coevolution. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Coevolution are Charles Darwin, Phylogenetic Trees, Punctuated Equilibrium, Allopatric 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 Coevolution. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
Coevolution: Reciprocal evolutionary change in interacting species, such as flowers and their pollinators. Charles Darwin: The naturalist who proposed natural selection in On the Origin of Species in 1859 after the Beagle voyage. 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 Charles Darwin and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
The naturalist who proposed natural selection in On the Origin of Species in 1859 after the Beagle voyage.
🦎 EvolutionBranching diagrams that show inferred evolutionary relationships among species.
🦎 EvolutionSuggests species remain stable for long periods interrupted by short bursts of rapid change.
🦎 EvolutionSpeciation after a geographic barrier separates populations, as with Darwin's finches on separate islands.
🦎 Evolution