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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.

Genetics of Speciation

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.

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.

Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

What is a Species?

What is a Species?

Dihybrid Crosses

Dihybrid Crosses

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Efficient and Rapid Isolation of Early-stage Embryos from Arabidopsis thaliana Seeds

Efficient and Rapid Isolation of Early-stage Embryos from Arabidopsis thaliana Seeds

Published on: June 7, 2013

Arabidopsis hybrid speciation processes.

Roswitha Schmickl¹, Marcus A Koch

¹Centre for Organismal Studies Heidelberg, Department of Biodiversity and Plant Systematics, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|August 10, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Gene flow between Arabidopsis arenosa and Arabidopsis lyrata ssp. petraea in the Austrian Alps has led to the formation of tetraploid Arabidopsis lyrata. This new polyploid successfully colonized new habitats, demonstrating adaptation and speciation.

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Area of Science:

Plant evolutionary biology
Genomics
Speciation research

Background:

The genus Arabidopsis is a key model for plant science, yet introgression and polyploidy are understudied.
Arabidopsis suecica and Arabidopsis kamchatica are known allopolyploid species formed during the Pleistocene.
Recent findings indicate significant gene flow among Arabidopsis species.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate regional and population-level genetic introgression and hybrid speciation in sympatric Arabidopsis species.
Test the hypothesis of gene flow, migration, and adaptation in response to Pleistocene environmental changes.
Analyze the origins and ecological success of polyploid Arabidopsis in the Austrian Alps.

Main Methods:

Population-level genetic analysis of sympatrically distributed Arabidopsis arenosa and Arabidopsis lyrata ssp. petraea.
Focus on gene flow patterns and the emergence of polyploid cytotypes.
Phylogeographic and ecological niche assessment in the eastern Austrian Alps.

Main Results:

Confirmed significant, predominantly unidirectional gene flow between A. arenosa and A. lyrata ssp. petraea.
Observed the emergence of tetraploid A. lyrata, resulting from hybridization.
Documented the northward migration of tetraploid A. lyrata into siliceous areas, diverging from the diploid's limestone niche.

Conclusions:

Pleistocene environmental shifts facilitated interspecific gene flow and polyploid formation in Arabidopsis.
The newly formed tetraploid A. lyrata exhibits ecological plasticity, colonizing new habitats.
This study highlights the role of introgression and polyploidy in Arabidopsis speciation and adaptation.