Which of the following statements best describes the term Allopatric S...
Speciation is how a new kind of plant or animal species is created.
There are five types of speciation: allopatric, peripatric, parapatric, and sympatric and artificial.
- Allopatric speciation: It occurs when a species separates into two separate groups which are isolated from one another. A physical barrier, such as a mountain range or a waterway, makes it impossible for them to breed with one another. Each species develops differently based on the demands of their unique habitat or the genetic characteristics of the group that are passed on to offspring. Hence option (c) is the correct answer.
- Peripatric speciation: When small groups of individuals break off from the larger group and form a new species, this is called peripatric speciation. The main difference between allopatric speciation and peripatric speciation is that in peripatric speciation, one group is much smaller than the other. Unique characteristics of the smaller groups are passed on to future generations of the group, making those traits more common among that group and distinguishing them from the others.
- Parapatric speciation: In parapatric speciation, a species is spread out over a large geographic area. Although it is possible for any member of the species to mate with another member, individuals only mate with those in their own geographic region. Like allopatric and peripatric speciation, different habitats influence the development of different species in parapatric speciation. Instead of being separated by a physical barrier, the species are separated by differences in the same environment.
- Sympatric Speciation:
(i) Sympatric speciation is controversial. Some scientists don’t believe it exists.
(ii) It occurs when there are no physical barriers preventing any members of a species from mating with another, and all members are in close proximity to one another. A new species, perhaps based on a different food source or characteristic, seems to develop spontaneously. The theory is that some individuals become dependent on certain aspects of an environment—such as shelter or food sources—while others do not. - Artificial Speciation: Artificial speciation is the creation of new species by people. This is achieved through lab experiments, where scientists mostly research insects like fruit flies.
Which of the following statements best describes the term Allopatric S...
Allopatric speciation is a process of speciation that occurs when a group of species separates into two separate groups, which are isolated from one another due to a geographical barrier. This barrier can be a physical barrier, such as a mountain range, river, or ocean, or it can be a result of the migration or dispersal of a species to a new habitat.
Geographical Barrier:
The geographical barrier prevents gene flow between the two groups, meaning that individuals from one group cannot mate with individuals from the other group. Over time, this lack of gene flow leads to genetic divergence between the two groups, resulting in the formation of two distinct species.
Genetic Divergence:
Genetic divergence occurs as each group adapts to its specific environment and accumulates different genetic changes. This can happen through various mechanisms, such as mutation, genetic drift, and natural selection. As the two groups become more genetically distinct, they may also develop differences in their physical traits, behavior, or reproductive systems, further contributing to their status as separate species.
Example:
A classic example of allopatric speciation is the formation of the Galapagos finches. These finches are believed to have originated from a common ancestor that arrived on the Galapagos Islands from the mainland. Over time, different populations of finches became isolated on different islands, each with its own unique environmental conditions and available food sources. As a result, the finches on each island adapted to their specific environment, leading to the development of different beak shapes and sizes. Today, these finches are recognized as distinct species due to their genetic and morphological differences.
Conclusion:
In summary, allopatric speciation occurs when a group of species separates into two separate groups that are isolated from one another due to a geographical barrier. This isolation leads to genetic divergence between the two groups, eventually resulting in the formation of two distinct species.
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