Speciation and Its Mechanisms

These flashcards cover key concepts related to speciation, including definitions of allopatric and sympatric speciation, mechanisms of reproductive isolation, and specific terms related to isolation and selection.

Allopatric speciation

When two geographically isolated populations of the same species evolve to become two separate species.

Gene flow

The transfer of genetic material between populations, which can prevent speciation.

Sympatric speciation

The process where a single population becomes two separate species without geographic isolation.

Disruptive selection

A type of natural selection that favors extreme trait values over intermediate values, leading to speciation.

Ring species

A series of neighboring populations that are connected by gene flow but can be reproductively isolated from each other at the ends of the distribution.

Island endemism

Unique species that are found only on a particular island due to isolation.

Assortative mating

A mating pattern where individuals with similar phenotypes mate with each other more often than would be expected under random mating.

Polyploid speciation

A mode of speciation that occurs when an organism has more than two complete sets of chromosomes, often observed in plants.

Benthic

Referring to organisms that live on or near the bottom of a water body.

Pelagic

Referring to organisms that live in the open water column, away from the bottom.