Sympatric species

Definition:
Two or more species occupying identical or overlapping areas are known as sympatric species.

Explanation:
Sympatric species are those species which occur in the same geographic area and occupy the same habitat. The term 'sympatric' is derived from two Greek words, 'syn' meaning 'together' and 'patria' meaning 'homeland'. Therefore, sympatric species are those which share the same homeland.

Example:
An example of sympatric species is the African elephants and African buffalos. Both these species live in the same grasslands and forests of Africa.

Different from allopatric species:
Sympatric species are different from allopatric species. Allopatric species are those which occur in different geographic areas and are separated by a physical barrier.

Example:
An example of allopatric species is the polar bear and the grizzly bear. Polar bears live in the Arctic region while grizzly bears live in North America.

Significance:
The coexistence of sympatric species in a particular habitat is significant because it provides an opportunity for ecological interactions such as competition, predation, parasitism, and mutualism.

Types of sympatric species:
There are two types of sympatric species:
1. Ecological species: These species occupy different ecological niches within the same habitat.
2. Sibling species: These species are morphologically and genetically distinct but are difficult to differentiate because of their similar appearance.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, sympatric species are those species which occur in the same geographic area and occupy the same habitat. The coexistence of sympatric species is significant because it provides an opportunity for ecological interactions. There are two types of sympatric species, ecological species, and sibling species.