Lecture 13: Sympatric Speciation

These flashcards cover key concepts related to sympatric speciation and the mechanisms of speciation discussed in Lecture 13.

Sympatric Speciation

Speciation that occurs in the absence of geographic barriers to gene flow.

Genetic Drift

A mechanism of evolution that refers to random changes in allele frequencies within a population.

Hybrid Zone

A geographic region where members of different species mate and produce hybrids.

Autopolyploid Speciation

A type of speciation that occurs when an organism has more than two sets of chromosomes, leading to reproductive isolation.

Reproductive Isolation

The inability of different species to mate and produce viable offspring due to various barriers.

Drosophila melanogaster

A species of fruit fly commonly used in genetic experiments and studies on divergence.

Ploidy Levels

The number of sets of chromosomes in a cell.

Natural Selection

The process through which traits that enhance survival and reproduction become more common in successive generations.

Incomplete Reproductive Isolation

A situation where hybridization occurs due to insufficient barriers to prevent mating between species.

Darwin’s Finches

A group of finch species that evolved on the Galápagos Islands, known for their varied beak types adapted to different food sources.