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Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

Genetics of Speciation

Genetics of Speciation

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

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.

Fixed Action Patterns

Fixed Action Patterns

A fixed action pattern (FAP) is a specific, hard-wired sequence of behaviors that occurs in response to an external stimulus, called a sign stimulus. The behavior is “fixed” because it is essentially unchangeable—proceeding similarly across individuals of a species every time it occurs.

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.

Conservation of Small Populations

Conservation of Small Populations

Small population sizes put a species at extreme risk of extinction due to a lack of variation, and a consequent decrease in adaptability. This weakens the chances of survival under pressures such as climate change, competition from other species, or new diseases. Large populations are more likely to survive pressures such as these, as such populations are more likely to harbor individuals that have genetic variants that are adaptive under new stresses. Small populations are much less...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Microinjection for Transgenesis and Genome Editing in Threespine Sticklebacks

Microinjection for Transgenesis and Genome Editing in Threespine Sticklebacks

Published on: May 13, 2016

Ecological Impacts of Reverse Speciation in Threespine Stickleback.

Seth M Rudman¹, Dolph Schluter¹

¹Department of Zoology and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 4200-6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T1Z4, Canada.

Current Biology : CB

|January 26, 2016

Summary

Young species facing environmental changes can go extinct through gene flow, a process called reverse speciation. This study shows reverse speciation in stickleback fish significantly altered aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

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Last Updated: Mar 26, 2026

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Ecology
Conservation Biology

Background:

Young species are vulnerable to extinction from human-induced environmental changes.
Increased gene flow can lead to reverse speciation (introgressive extinction), where parent species are ecologically distinct.
Reverse speciation involves rapid, large phenotypic shifts with potential for novel ecological effects.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the ecological shifts associated with reverse speciation.
To examine the cascading consequences of introgressive extinction in threespine stickleback fish.
To assess the predictability of ecological impacts based on evolutionary and ecological factors.

Main Methods:

Field study of threespine stickleback fish.
Replicated experimental design.
Analysis of community and ecosystem impacts.

Main Results:

Introgressive extinction in threespine stickleback fish caused cascading ecological consequences.
Altered abundance of aquatic prey and terrestrial insects emerged.
Community and ecosystem impacts were novel yet predictable.

Conclusions:

Reverse speciation can have significant, predictable ecological impacts.
Understanding species' community ecology and functional morphology aids in predicting evolutionary effects.
Reverse speciation highlights the interplay between biodiversity, evolution, and ecosystem function.