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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.

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.

Gene Families

Gene Families

Gene families consist of groups of genes proposed to have originated from a common ancestor. Typically these arise through events in which a gene or genes are mistakenly duplicated during cell division. Unlike their parent genes (which are subject to selection pressure to maintain function), these gene copies do not need to preserve their sequences and may evolve at a relatively faster rate.
Occasionally these regions can be adapted to take on new roles within the organism, becoming novel genes...

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: Feb 4, 2026

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil

Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil

Published on: July 29, 2020

Speciation and the City.

Ken A Thompson¹, Loren H Rieseberg², Dolph Schluter¹

¹Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

|October 10, 2018

Summary

Cities offer unique opportunities to study speciation, the process by which new species arise. Research in urban environments can address key questions about evolutionary divergence and the role of plasticity in speciation.

Keywords:

contemporary speciation divergent selection hybridization mutation-order speciation polyploidy urbanisation

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Ecology
Urban Ecology

Background:

Empirical testing of speciation mechanisms is often limited by the availability of suitable study systems.
Urban environments present novel ecological pressures and opportunities for rapid adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight urban environments as ideal systems for studying speciation.
To discuss speciation mechanisms relevant to cities.
To explore fundamental questions in speciation research addressable by urban ecology.

Main Methods:

Review of existing studies on evolutionary ecology in urban settings.
Synthesis of findings to identify speciation mechanisms.
Discussion of urban-specific research questions.

Main Results:

Urban environments provide conditions conducive to studying speciation.
Mechanisms like rapid adaptation and assortative mating are likely drivers of speciation in cities.
Urban ecology can address early divergence stages and phenotypic plasticity.

Conclusions:

Urban ecology offers a powerful framework for investigating contemporary speciation.
Cities are valuable natural laboratories for understanding speciation in the Anthropocene.