SPECIATION

For Speciation to occur, two new populations must

evolve in such a way that it becomes impossible to
interbreed.

Biologists have proposed mechanisms by which this

could occur that fall in two broad categories:
• Allopatric Speciation
• Sympatric Speciation
SPECIATION
• Biologists think of Speciation as the splitting of
one ancestral species into two descendant
species. There is no reason why there might not
be more than two species formed at one time
except that it is less likely and such multiple
events can also be conceptualized as single
occurring close in time.
• A geographically continuous population has a gene
pool that is relatively homogenous. Gene flow, the
movement of alleles across the range of species , is
relatively free because individuals can move and
then mate with individuals in their new location.
Thus, the frequencies of an allele at one end of a
distribution will be similar to the frequency of an
allele at the other end.
 THROUGH DISPERSAL

Over time the two will accumulate differences and diverge from each other. When that
separation lasts for a period of time, the two populations are able to evolve along
• When population become geographically discontinuous, the free
flow of allele is prevented. When that separation lasts for a period
of time, the two, the two populations are able to evolve along
different trajectories. Thus their allele frequencies at generous
genetic loci gradually become more and more different.
• The environmental conditions, such as climate, resources,
predators, and competitors, for the two population will differ
causing natural selection to favour divergent adaptations in each
group.
Given enough time, the genetic and phenotypic
divergence between populations will likely affect
characters that will likely affect characters that
influence reproduction enough that were
individuals of the two populations brought
together, mating would be less likely, or if a mating
occurred, offspring would be non-viable or
infertile.
MECHANISM OF REPRODUCTIVE ISOLATION
PREZYGOTIC MECHANISMS
• Includes trait that allow individuals to find each other
, such as timing of mating, sensitivity to pheromones,
or choice of mating sites.
• If individuals are able to encounter each other,
character divergence may prevent courtship rituals
from leading to a mating either female preferences
have changed or male behaviours have changed.
• Physiological changes may interfere with successful
fertilization if mating is able to occur.
POSTZYGOTIC MECHANISMS
• Include genetic incompatibilities that prevent proper
development of offspring, or if the offspring live, they
may be unable to produce viable gametes themselves
as in the example of the mule, to the infertile
offspring of a horse and a male donkey.
• If the two isolated populations are brought back together
and the hybrid offspring that formed from mating
between individuals of the two populations have lower
survivorship or reduced fertility, then selection will favor
individuals that are able to discriminate between
potential mates of their own population and the other
population. This selection will enhance the reproductive
isolation.
• The isolation of populations leading to allopatric
speciation can occur in a variety of ways from a
river forming a new branch, erosion forming a
new valley, or a group of organisms traveling to a
new location.
-If a few members of a species move to a new
geographical area.
-If a natural situation has arises to
physically divide organisms.
Remember:
• As the distance increases, the various
environmental factors would likely to have less in
common than locations in close proximity.
• Over time, the varied demands of their new
lifestyles lead to multiple speciation events called
adaptive radiation.