Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Formation of Species

Formation of Species

Speciation describes the formation of one or more new species from one or sometimes multiple original species. The resulting species are discrete from the parent species, and barriers to reproduction will typically exist. There are two primary mechanisms, speciation with and without geographic isolation—allopatric and sympatric speciation, respectively.Allopatric SpeciationIn allopatric speciation, gene flow between two populations of the same species is prevented by a geographic barrier, like...

Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

Speciation can proceed at markedly different rates, and evolutionary biologists commonly describe these differences through the models of gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Both patterns explain how new species arise, but they differ in the tempo and continuity of evolutionary change. In both cases, evolutionary change arises from heritable variation within populations, with natural selection often shaping traits that improve survival and reproduction under specific environmental conditions.

What is Population Genetics?

What is Population Genetics?

A population is composed of members of the same species that simultaneously live and interact in the same area. When individuals in a population breed, they pass down their genes to their offspring. Many of these genes are polymorphic, meaning that they occur in multiple variants. Such variations of a gene are referred to as alleles. The collective set of all the alleles within a population is known as the gene pool.While some alleles of a given gene might be observed commonly, other variants...

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).Mechanisms of Genetic VariationThe original sources of genetic variation are mutations,...

Genetics of Speciation

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.The genetics of speciation involves the different traits or isolating mechanisms preventing gene exchange, leading to reproductive isolation. Reproductive isolation can be due to reproductive barriers that have effects either before or after the formation of a zygote. Pre-zygotic mechanisms prevent fertilization from occurring, and post-zygotic mechanisms...

Gene Flow

Gene Flow

Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Good parasites make bad hosts: why is hyperparasitism uncommon among metazoan parasites.

International journal for parasitology·2026

Same author

Parasites of a keystone megaherbivore: insights into trematode life cycles and biological invasions in the Greater Kruger ecosystem.

Parasitology·2026

Same author

Impacts of artificial light at night on interactions between four trematode parasites and their marine invertebrate hosts: species-specific effects?

The Science of the total environment·2026

Same author

Comparison of Detection Rates of Toxoplasma gondii among Five Host Tissues and Two Primer Sets in Three Bird Species.

Journal of wildlife diseases·2026

Same author

Drivers of Microbiome Composition Among Helminth Parasites Sharing the Same Insectivorous Bat Host.

Molecular ecology·2026

Same author

Comparative genomics of parasitoid lifestyle as exemplified by Mermithidae and Nematomorpha.

Journal of invertebrate pathology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Protocol for Production of a Genetic Cross of the Rodent Malaria Parasites

Protocol for Production of a Genetic Cross of the Rodent Malaria Parasites

Published on: January 3, 2011

Speciation in parasites: a population genetics approach.

Tine Huyse¹, Robert Poulin, André Théron

¹Parasitic Worms Division, Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, UK, SW7 5BD. t.huyse@nhm.ac.uk

Trends in Parasitology

|August 23, 2005

Summary

This study bridges macroevolutionary and microevolutionary scales by examining parasite spatial fragmentation and population genetics. Understanding these processes is key to exploring parasite speciation and host-parasite coevolution.

More Related Videos

Phenotypic Analysis of Rodent Malaria Parasite Asexual and Sexual Blood Stages and Mosquito Stages

Phenotypic Analysis of Rodent Malaria Parasite Asexual and Sexual Blood Stages and Mosquito Stages

Published on: May 30, 2019

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: December 2, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Protocol for Production of a Genetic Cross of the Rodent Malaria Parasites

Protocol for Production of a Genetic Cross of the Rodent Malaria Parasites

Published on: January 3, 2011

Phenotypic Analysis of Rodent Malaria Parasite Asexual and Sexual Blood Stages and Mosquito Stages

Phenotypic Analysis of Rodent Malaria Parasite Asexual and Sexual Blood Stages and Mosquito Stages

Published on: May 30, 2019

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: December 2, 2022

Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Parasitology
Population Genetics

Background:

Parasite speciation and host-parasite coevolution require investigation at both macroevolutionary and microevolutionary levels.
Macroevolutionary studies offer a framework for parasite lineage origins and diversification patterns.
Phylogeographic variation in hosts and parasites across their ranges is crucial for understanding divergent coevolutionary interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To bridge the gap between microevolutionary and macroevolutionary scales in parasite research.
To investigate the spatial fragmentation of parasites and the population genetics driving their diversification.
To evaluate demographic parameters like effective population size and parasite transmission using neutral genetic markers.

Main Methods:

Focus on spatial fragmentation of parasites.
Analysis of population genetics processes underlying parasite diversification.
Utilizing neutral genetic markers to study parasite populations.

Main Results:

The study aims to connect microevolutionary processes with macroevolutionary events in parasite systems.
Quantifying and comparing phylogeographic variation in hosts and parasites is essential.
Emphasis on population genetics provides insights into effective population size and transmission dynamics.

Conclusions:

Integrating micro- and macroevolutionary perspectives is vital for a comprehensive understanding of parasite evolution.
Spatial fragmentation and population genetics are key factors in parasite diversification.
Further research is needed to fully explore the link between microevolutionary dynamics and macroevolutionary patterns in host-parasite systems.