How does sympatric speciation occur in plants?
In plants, sympatric speciation can occur through polyploidy and allopolyploidy In plants and fungi (and much less frequently in animals), sympatric speciation can arise through a process called polyploidy: a doubling (or more) of chromosome number.
Does sympatric speciation require geographic isolation?
Many sympatric species can successfully interbreed and produce viable offspring if the conditions leading to speciation are removed. Another argument about sympatric speciation is that speciation requires geographic isolation.
How do sympatric species hybridize?
Overlap in the geographic ranges of sympatric species can lead to hybridization between the two species in hybrid zones. Reproductive barriers in hybrid zones can be weakened by fusion, in which two species produce fertile, successful offspring.
What is the scientific controversy surrounding sympatric speciation?
Recognize the scientific controversy surrounding sympatric speciation. Scientists debate whether sympatric speciation is capable of producing distinct populations of different species from a common ancestor. Many sympatric species can successfully interbreed and produce viable offspring if the conditions leading to speciation are removed.
Why is sympatric speciation unique?
Sympatric speciation is unique because it takes place while two subpopulations of the same species are occupying the same range or in a range that highly overlaps. Even though the territory that the organisms live in is the same, they are able to split into two different groups that eventually become so genetically different from one another ...
Why is sympatric speciation more common in bacteria?
Sympatric speciation is thought to occur more often in bacteria, because bacteria can exchange genes with other individuals that aren’t parent and offspring in a process known as horizontal gene transfer. Sympatric speciation has been observed in Bacillus ...
What organisms have sympatric speciation?
Sympatric speciation can be seen in many different types of organisms including bacteria, cichlid fish, and the apple maggot fly, but it can be difficult to tell when sympatric speciation is occurring or has occurred in nature.
How many types of speciation are there?
To understand sympatric speciation, one must first understand the other types of speciation. There are four types of speciation: sympatric, allopatric, parapatric, and peripatric. The other three types of speciation involve the physical separation of two populations of the same species, while sympatric speciation does not.
What is the process of speciation?
Like all forms of speciation, the process is usually very gradual. Parapatric speciation is when speciation occurs in subpopulations of the same species that are mostly isolated from each other, but have a narrow area where their ranges overlap. Peripatric speciation occurs when members of a population on the border of that population’s habitat ...
Where do sympatric species live?
Another example of sympatric speciation is found in two species of Midas cichlid fish ( Amphilophus species), which live in Lake Apoyo, a volcanic crater lake in Nicaragua. Researchers analyzed the DNA, appearance, and ecology of these two closely related species. The two species, though overall very similar, do have slight differences in appearance, and they cannot interbreed. All available evidence suggests that one species evolved from the other, which is the species of Midas cichlids that originally colonized the lake. The newer species evolved relatively recently, but in evolutionary terms, this means that it is thought to have evolved less than 10,000 years ago.
What is the term for a group of organisms that can interbreed?
Related Biology Terms. Species – A group of organisms that can interbreed. Speciation – The evolution of a new species. Range – The geographic area where members of a species live. Niche – The function of a species in an ecosystem based on many factors such as the species’ habitat and diet.
1. Sympatric Speciation: Introduction
In the previous tutorial, you learned about allopatric speciation. Allopatric speciation involves a geographic barrier (“X” in the diagram at left) that splits a population into two. Once split apart, mutation and natural selection cause each sub-population to differentiate. (shown at “C,” “D,” and “E”).
3. Quiz: Sympatric Speciation through changes in chromosome number
Yes! Speciation through polyploidy and allopolyploidy is uncommon in animals.
4. Sympatric Speciation in Animals can Occur through Sexual Selection
An example of intrasexual selection. A peacock (left) and a peahen (right).
6. Sympatric Speciation through Habitat Differentiation
A last mechanism underlying sympatric speciation is habitat differentiation.
7. Sympatric Speciation: Checking Understanding
In this tutorial, you’ve learned that speciation can occur sympatrically: without a geographic barrier. Test your mastery by answering the questions below.