The formation of new species when populations diverge enough to become reproductively isolated.
Speciation requires gene flow to be reduced and divergence to build up until isolating barriers exist. It can take thousands to millions of years, although polyploidy in plants can create a species in one generation.
Both ecological (selection) and genetic (drift, incompatibilities) factors contribute.
The formation of new species when populations diverge enough to become reproductively isolated.
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 Sympatric Speciation, Allopatric Speciation, Species Concept.
Over 800 species of fruit flies in Hawaii arose from a single colonist.
Work through the Beginner topics in Evolution first, such as Evolution, Natural Selection, Charles Darwin, then return to Speciation. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Speciation are Sympatric Speciation, Allopatric Speciation, Species Concept, Divergent Evolution. 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 Speciation. To practise the whole of Evolution, use the Evolution quiz.
Speciation: The formation of new species when populations diverge enough to become reproductively isolated. Sympatric Speciation: New species arising within the same area, often through polyploidy or ecological specialisation. 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 Sympatric Speciation and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Evolution quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
New species arising within the same area, often through polyploidy or ecological specialisation.
🦎 EvolutionSpeciation after a geographic barrier separates populations, as with Darwin's finches on separate islands.
🦎 EvolutionThe biological species concept defines a species as a group of interbreeding natural populations reproductively isolated from others.
🦎 EvolutionRelated species become increasingly different as they adapt to separate environments.
🦎 Evolution