Macroevolution

Lineage diversification

The process through which an organism’s descendant breaks into new taxonomic groups overtime

Geographic Isolation

The isolation of a species via geographical barriers such as mountains, or in modern days highways, that restrict interbreeding between populations

Sympatric Speciation

In which speciation takes place without geographic isolation; this can be the result of a mutation that leads to a new ecological niche or social/sexual selection; likely takes place along with other forms of speciation, rarely alone.

Sexual/social selection

The natural selection of a species due to the preference of other members of the population. Ie, breeding preferences

Sympatry

Used to describe the coexistence of populations, varieties, or species in the same location at the same time.

Geographic Speciation Cycle

Through which new species evolve as a result of geographic isolation; can be a result of behavioral isolation

Behavioral Isolation

Isolation as a result in a difference in breeding cycles or migration patterns

Allochrony

The difference in breeding times between conspecific individuals

Conspecific

Belonging to the same, or similar, taxonomic groups

Reproductive Isolation

The inability between populations of the same species to interbreed due to behavioral, morphological, or geographic barriers

Stochastic Mutation

Random, unpredictable changes in DNA sequences; scientific word for standard mutations

Mutation-order Speciation

Occurs as a result of an accumulation of stochastic mutations that no longer permit interbreeding between conspecific organisms

Non-adaptive Radiation

evolutionary diversification of a taxonomic group as a result of non-ecological adaptations; Diversification associated with coexistence and sympatry; non-niche related diversification

Adaptive Radiation

Evolutionary diversification related to ecological niche; associated with geographic isolation (i.e. Galapagos finches)

Ecological Speciation

Speciation by natural selection (behavioral and adaptive) in contrasting ecological environments; may occur in both allopatry and sympatry

Ecological Niche

The unique interactions an organism/species has with its ecosystem; i.e. predators, prey, habitat, etc.

Allopatric Divergence

The reproductive isolation of populations as a result of allopatry, often leading to speciation

Allopatry

the physical, geographic separation of populations

Ecological Selection

The divergence of a species as a result of its ecological environment; selection based on survival advantages

Deterministic Divergence

The non-random change in traits; i.e. Ecological factors cause an adaptation, which results in a behavioral selection (ecological selection impacts signal transmission properties in birds, which then impacts the birds’ mating calls)

Parapatric Speciation

Speciation occurring within adjacent populations with limited gene flow; Reproductive isolation slowly builds up as a result of limited gene flow

Parapatry

A distribution pattern in which populations are adjacent with limited access to one another

Post-zygotic isolation

Offspring, often of hybrids, that cannot survive and/or reproduce past the zygotic stage

Dispersal

The rate of movement of a species between geographic locations; i.e. Breeding sites different from birth sites, migrations, movement that leads to colonization of a new location. (can lead to interbreeding)

Niche-filling

In which ecological niches are already taken by other species/populations. Niche sharing is not plausible, due to high competition.