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Genetics of Speciation

Genetics of Speciation

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

Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

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.

What is a Species?

What is a Species?

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.

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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 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

Insect speciation rules: unifying concepts in speciation research.

Sean P Mullen¹, Kerry L Shaw

¹Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215;

Annual Review of Entomology

|October 29, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Speciation research unifies divergent evolution causes with reproductive isolation. Insect models reveal how speciation phenotypes evolve, linking causes to gene flow barriers and genomic architecture.

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Genetics

Background:

Speciation research traditionally separates causes of divergence from genetic basis of reproductive isolation.
Recent efforts aim to integrate these two historical approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

To unify perspectives on speciation by integrating causes of divergent evolution with reproductive isolation.
To discuss progress in insect speciation model systems, focusing on the evolution of speciation phenotypes.

Main Methods:

Review and synthesis of recent progress in insect speciation model systems.
Focus on phenotypes causally involved in reducing gene flow between incipient species.

Main Results:

Explicit connections drawn between the causes of speciation (process) and the patterns of divergence and reproductive isolation.
Emphasis on emerging insights into the genomic architecture underlying speciation.

Conclusions:

Integration of divergent evolution and reproductive isolation provides a more complete understanding of speciation.
Insect model systems offer valuable insights into the evolution of speciation phenotypes and genomic architecture.