speciation
Evolutionary lineage splitting
Speciation is the evolutionary process by which new biological species arise from existing ones.
This typically occurs when populations of the same species become reproductively isolated from each other—through geographic separation, behavioral differences, or genetic changes—and diverge over time until they can no longer interbreed.
The finches Darwin observed on the Galápagos Islands are a classic example of speciation.
The term is central to evolutionary biology and discussions of biodiversity.
Random allele frequency change
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- gene flowAllele transfer between populations
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- hybridizationMixing distinct genetic lines
reinforcement · genetic variation · sexual selection · assortative mating
Separation from common origin
- bifurcationDivision into two branches
- common ancestorOrigin point of descendants
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
- tree of lifeDiagram of evolutionary connections
Spreading in many directions
- mountain rangeSeries of connected peaks
- glaciationIce sheet spreading process
- continental driftGradual landmass repositioning
- biogeographyScience of species distribution
Geographic species restriction
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
- diversificationExpanding into varied areas
- faunaAnimal life collectively
- floraPlants of a region
genetic drift
Random allele frequency change
- natural selectionDifferential reproductive success
- gene flowAllele transfer between populations
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
hybridization · reinforcement · genetic variation · sexual selection · assortative mating
divergence
Separation from common origin
- bifurcationDivision into two branches
- common ancestorOrigin point of descendants
- cladisticsClassification by common descent
subspecies
Taxonomic rank beneath species
dispersal
Spreading in many directions
- mountain rangeSeries of connected peaks
- glaciationIce sheet spreading process
- continental driftGradual landmass repositioning
endemism
Geographic species restriction
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
- diversificationExpanding into varied areas
- faunaAnimal life collectively
flora · hotspot · extinction
assortative mating
Pairing by shared traits
- biologycells, DNA, cell, biology, gene
- biology termscell, DNA, genetics, genetic, evolution
- evolutionevolution, natural selection, mutation, adaptation, fitness
- Natural Processesphotosynthesis, decomposition, evaporation, erosion, carbon cycle
- zoologymammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects
- originsbeginning, birth, creation, source, roots
speciationhybridization
Mixing distinct genetic lines
gene flow · interbreeding · reticulation · crossbreeding · amalgamation
speciationextinction
Complete vanishing of a species
species extinction · mass extinction · species loss · extirpation · biodiversity loss
special, specific, especially, species, specialist, specify, specimen, specialty, specifically