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

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...

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.

Hybrid Zones

Hybrid Zones

Hybrid zones are narrow regions where two closely related species interact, mate, and produce hybrids. Relative to either parent species, hybrids may possess distinct phenotypic or genetic differences that impact their survival and reproductive success. The genetic variances introduced by hybridization influence species diversity and speciation processes within the hybrid zone.Gene flow and natural selection are evolutionary mechanisms that shape the outcome of a hybrid zone. Gene flow...

The Evidence for Evolution

The Evidence for Evolution

Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.The collection of fossils within sedimentary rocks give a record of common ancestry and often depicts the history of evolution.

Asexual Reproduction

Asexual Reproduction

Asexual reproduction allows plants to reproduce without growing flowers, attracting pollinators, or dispersing seeds. Offspring are genetically identical to the parent and produced without the fusion of male and female gametes.

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Biosynthetic gene clusters in <i>Pseudomonas viridiflava</i> have a fitness cost during <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> infection.

mSystems·2026

Same author

Seasonality, land use and plant community diversity shape microbiome-pathogen interactions in wild populations of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences·2026

Same author

PLANeT: Understanding and leveraging the genome of land plants for a sustainable future.

Cell·2026

Same author

Rapid adaptation and extinction in synchronized outdoor evolution experiments of <i>Arabidopsis</i>.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026

Same author

Multiple redundant mechanisms account for the majority of gene silencing downstream of DNA methylation.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Beyond Mendel: a call to revisit the genotype-phenotype map through new experimental paradigms.

Genetics·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Standardized Method for High-throughput Sterilization of Arabidopsis Seeds

Standardized Method for High-throughput Sterilization of Arabidopsis Seeds

Published on: October 17, 2017

Arabidopsis: a model genus for speciation.

Kirsten Bomblies¹, Detlef Weigel

¹Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, 72076, Tübingen, Germany. kirsten.bomblies@tuebingen.mpg.de

Current Opinion in Genetics & Development

|November 17, 2007

Summary

Investigating genetic and epigenetic changes in Arabidopsis thaliana and relatives reveals mechanisms of speciation. These studies explore mating systems, ploidy, and genetic incompatibilities to understand evolutionary biology.

More Related Videos

A Method for Characterizing Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis

A Method for Characterizing Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis

Published on: August 4, 2017

High-throughput, Robust and Highly Time-flexible Method for Surface Sterilization of Arabidopsis Seeds

High-throughput, Robust and Highly Time-flexible Method for Surface Sterilization of Arabidopsis Seeds

Published on: October 4, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Standardized Method for High-throughput Sterilization of Arabidopsis Seeds

Standardized Method for High-throughput Sterilization of Arabidopsis Seeds

Published on: October 17, 2017

A Method for Characterizing Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis

A Method for Characterizing Embryogenesis in Arabidopsis

Published on: August 4, 2017

High-throughput, Robust and Highly Time-flexible Method for Surface Sterilization of Arabidopsis Seeds

High-throughput, Robust and Highly Time-flexible Method for Surface Sterilization of Arabidopsis Seeds

Published on: October 4, 2021

Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Genetics
Epigenetics

Background:

Arabidopsis thaliana and its relatives are key model organisms for studying evolutionary processes.
Understanding genetic and epigenetic factors is crucial for adaptation and divergence.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms driving adaptation and divergence in plants.
To explore speciation processes using Arabidopsis and related species.

Main Methods:

Comparative genomic approaches
Classical genetic analyses
Experimental and comparative analyses

Main Results:

Revealing mechanisms of mating system evolution.
Investigating the effects of ploidy and chromosomal differences.
Identifying genes involved in Dobzhansky-Muller incompatibilities.

Conclusions:

A. thaliana and relatives provide a powerful system for studying fundamental evolutionary mechanisms.
Advances in tools and technology facilitate combined experimental and comparative analyses.