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

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.

Genetics of Speciation

Genetics of Speciation

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

What is a Species?

What is a Species?

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.

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.

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

eDNA Provides Accurate Population Abundance Estimates With Bioenergetics and Particle Mass-Balance Modelling.

Molecular ecology·2026

Same author

Connectivity and nutrient enrichment affect the productivity and stability of aquatic meta-ecosystems.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2025

Same author

Environmental RNA-Based Metatranscriptomics as a Novel Biomonitoring Tool: A Case Study of Glyphosate-Based Herbicide Effects on Freshwater Eukaryotic Communities.

Molecular ecology·2025

Same author

Comparative Decay Dynamics and Detectability of eDNA and eRNA in Connected and Isolated Freshwater Mesocosms Using Digital PCR.

Molecular ecology resources·2025

Same author

Pre-exposure to stress reduces loss of community and genetic diversity following severe environmental disturbance.

Current biology : CB·2025

Same author

Impact of grazing by multiple Daphnia species on wastewater bacterial communities.

The Science of the total environment·2025

Same journal

Differential Immune Responses Correlate With Chytridiomycosis Severity in Italian Crested Newts.

Molecular ecology·2026

Same journal

Demography and Environment Shapes Genetic Variation: Spatiotemporal Genetic Dynamics in Cyclic Voles at Low Latitudes.

Molecular ecology·2026

Same journal

Gut Microbiome-Metabolome Reconfiguration Associates With Phenotypic Plasticity of Daphnia Under Predation Risk.

Molecular ecology·2026

Same journal

Population Genomics Highlight the Vulnerability of Coral-Dwelling Gobies to Ecological Losses due to Climatic Disturbances.

Molecular ecology·2026

Same journal

Ancient Divergences of the Maritime Alpine Tree Larix lyallii (Pinaceae) Contrasts With Patterns in Other Pacific Northwest Coastal Disjuncts.

Molecular ecology·2026

Same journal

Ontogenetic Sequence of Differential Gene Expression in Predator-Induced Daphnia pulex.

Molecular ecology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 19, 2025

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Speciation in Daphnia.

Tiffany A Chin¹, Melania E Cristescu¹

¹Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Molecular Ecology

|February 1, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Daphnia speciation research reveals that while geographic barriers contribute to divergence, ecological factors are also significant evolutionary forces. Reproductive isolation is incomplete across closely related Daphnia species.

Keywords:

allopatric speciation cladocerans ecological speciation gene flow reproductive isolation species diversity sympatric speciation

More Related Videos

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: December 2, 2022

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

Published on: August 22, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 19, 2025

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: December 2, 2022

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

Published on: August 22, 2013

Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Limnology
Genetics

Background:

Daphnia are model organisms in zooplankton studies, yet their evolutionary history and speciation drivers remain debated.
The genus Daphnia comprises over 80 species, including cryptic species complexes, with frequent hybridization among closely related taxa.

Purpose of the Study:

To review Daphnia speciation research within current theoretical frameworks.
To evaluate the roles of geography, ecology, and biology in Daphnia diversification and gene flow restriction.
To identify knowledge gaps and suggest future research directions in Daphnia speciation.

Main Methods:

Literature review of 253 Daphnia speciation studies.
Analysis of the contribution of geographic, ecological, and biological factors to reproductive isolation.
Assessment of reproductive isolating barriers in Daphnia pulex and Daphnia longispina species complexes.

Main Results:

Geographic barriers are the most studied factor (55% of studies), but ecological barriers are also crucial for Daphnia speciation.
No single reproductive isolating barrier completely restricts gene flow between closely related Daphnia species.
Research has disproportionately focused on the Daphnia pulex and Daphnia longispina species complexes.

Conclusions:

Both geographic and ecological factors are important drivers of speciation in Daphnia.
Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay of factors maintaining Daphnia diversity.
Future studies should explore underrepresented species complexes and non-geographic reproductive isolating barriers.