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

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...

Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

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.

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.

Convergent Evolution

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.

Genetics of Speciation

Genetics of Speciation

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

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

The Vertebrate Genomes Project Phase I: A global reference genome resource.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Evolving conservation: The role of unconventional approaches to restore contemporary vertebrate populations and genomic biodiversity.

The Journal of heredity·2026

Same author

Painful Biceps Vincula: An Unrecognized Cause of Anterior Shoulder Pain.

Journal of orthopaedic case reports·2026

Same author

Comparative Genomics and Phylogenomics of the Mustelinae Lineage (Mustelidae, Carnivora).

Genome biology and evolution·2026

Same author

Genomics of Sable (Martes zibellina) × Pine Marten (Martes martes) Hybridization.

Genome biology and evolution·2026

Same author

Defining biceps chondromalacia: An arthroscopic descriptive study.

Shoulder & elbow·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 4, 2026

Reverse Dissection and DiceCT Reveal Otherwise Hidden Data in the Evolution of the Primate Face

Reverse Dissection and DiceCT Reveal Otherwise Hidden Data in the Evolution of the Primate Face

Published on: January 7, 2019

Evolution: a new cat species emerges.

Stephen J O'Brien¹, Klaus-Peter Koepfli²

¹Theodosius Dobzhansky Center for Genome Bioinformatics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, 199004, Russia; Oceanographic Center Nova Southeastern University, Ft Lauderdale, Florida 33004, USA.

Current Biology : CB

|December 21, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

A new species of South American cat, Leopardus guttulus, has been identified in Brazil. Molecular genetic data confirm its reproductive isolation, establishing it as a distinct species.

More Related Videos

Genome Editing in Astyanax mexicanus Using Transcription Activator-like Effector Nucleases TALENs

Genome Editing in Astyanax mexicanus Using Transcription Activator-like Effector Nucleases TALENs

Published on: June 20, 2016

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish

Published on: April 22, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 4, 2026

Reverse Dissection and DiceCT Reveal Otherwise Hidden Data in the Evolution of the Primate Face

Reverse Dissection and DiceCT Reveal Otherwise Hidden Data in the Evolution of the Primate Face

Published on: January 7, 2019

Genome Editing in Astyanax mexicanus Using Transcription Activator-like Effector Nucleases TALENs

Genome Editing in Astyanax mexicanus Using Transcription Activator-like Effector Nucleases TALENs

Published on: June 20, 2016

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish

Manipulation of Gene Function in Mexican Cavefish

Published on: April 22, 2019

Area of Science:

Zoology
Genetics
Evolutionary Biology

Background:

Species development is a complex evolutionary process.
Accurate species identification is crucial for conservation efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe a new felid species, Leopardus guttulus, from Brazil.
To confirm the species status of Leopardus guttulus using molecular genetic data.

Main Methods:

Molecular genetic analyses were employed.
Assessments focused on reproductive isolation and natural separation.

Main Results:

The study successfully described the new felid species, Leopardus guttulus.
Genetic assessments confirmed reproductive isolation, supporting species recognition.

Conclusions:

Leopardus guttulus is a distinct species.
Molecular genetics provides robust evidence for species recognition and evolutionary separation.