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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.

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...

Understanding Species and Reproductive Barriers

Understanding Species and Reproductive Barriers

A species is a group of organisms that interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Typically, individuals of the same species appear similar and share common characteristics due to their highly similar genomes. However, not all organisms that look alike are members of the same species. Various mechanisms keep most species discrete. While some mechanisms prevent reproductive behavior and fertilization (pre-zygotic isolation), others prevent the production of fertile offspring after mating has...

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.

The Fossil Record

The Fossil Record

The fossil record documents only a small fraction of all organisms that have ever inhabited Earth. Fossilization is a rare process, and most organisms never become fossils. Moreover, the fossil record only exhibits fossils that have been discovered. Nevertheless, sedimentary rock fossils of long-lived, abundant, hard-bodied organisms dominate the fossil record. These fossils offer valuable information, such as an organism's physical form, behavior, and age. Studying the fossil record helps...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

A Concoction Pipeline for Generating Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) Among Riparian and Aquatic Beetles

A Concoction Pipeline for Generating Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) Among Riparian and Aquatic Beetles

Published on: July 11, 2025

Delimiting species in recent radiations.

H Bradley Shaffer¹, Robert C Thomson

¹Section of Evolution and Ecology, and Center for Population Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. hbshaffer@ucdavis.edu

Systematic Biology

|December 11, 2007

Summary

Population genetic approaches using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) offer a powerful new method for identifying recently diverged species. This study demonstrates a novel protocol for discovering these genetic markers in non-model organisms like turtles.

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Genetics
Systematics

Background:

Delimiting species boundaries in recently diverged lineages is a significant challenge in evolutionary biology.
Traditional genealogical methods may be insufficient for recently evolved species due to a lack of complete monophyly.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose and test population genetic approaches using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for species delimitation in recent radiations.
To develop a cost-effective method for discovering genetic markers in non-model organisms.

Main Methods:

Utilized a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library from painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) for marker discovery.
Developed a novel protocol to identify primer pairs amplifying homologous sequences across turtle species.
Applied SNP discovery methods to Emydura macquarii, a distantly related turtle species.

Main Results:

Demonstrated the utility of a low-coverage genomic resource for gene and marker discovery in a non-model system.
Showed that SNPs discovered using the Chrysemys picta BAC library are informative even in distantly related taxa.
Confirmed the effectiveness of population genetic methods for identifying potential species boundaries.

Conclusions:

Population genetic approaches with SNPs provide a robust framework for delimiting recently diverged species.
Genomic resources like BAC libraries are crucial for generating abundant, inexpensive markers for species delimitation.
This methodology holds promise for resolving problematic species radiations across the tree of life.