Parallel speciation: a key to sympatric divergence

Until recently, our view of speciation was that reproductive isolation evolves during long periods of allopatry through the accumulation of genetic differences that result in genetic incompatibility. This view now contrasts with new findings that characters affecting reproductive isolation can diverge rapidly in sympatry as a result of natural selection. Recent studies combining research on phylogeny and ecology of natural populations cast new light on patterns, timescales and mechanisms, and emphasize the role of ecological factors in speciation. Studies of parallel speciation provide a strong case for sympatric speciation and for natural selection generating reproductive barriers.