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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.

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.

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.

Gene Flow

Gene Flow

Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.

Genetic Drift

Genetic Drift

Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.

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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

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Published on: February 3, 2023

Adaptive epigenetic divergence can facilitate ecological speciation.

Nicholas P Planidin^1,2, Clarissa F de Carvalho³, Jeffrey Feder⁴

¹Centre d'Écologie Fonctionnelle et Évolutive, Montpellier, France.

Proceedings. Biological Sciences

|September 16, 2025

Summary

Epigenetic variation can drive speciation by creating reproductive isolation (RI) even with high migration. Highly inducible epigenetic marks promote RI, especially when environmental induction and transgenerational inheritance are strong.

Keywords:

epigenetics gene flow local adaptation migration reproductive isolation speciation

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Genetics
Epigenetics

Background:

Migration homogenizes populations, hindering speciation by reducing genetic divergence.
Environmentally induced epigenetic marks can persist and remain divergent between populations despite gene flow.

Purpose of the Study:

To model how epigenetic variation influences reproductive isolation (RI) and speciation.
To investigate the impact of environmental induction and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance on RI.

Main Methods:

Developed a model quantifying RI at a neutral genetic locus linked to an epigenetically controlled locus under divergent selection.
Assessed the influence of epigenetic state induction by the environment and its transmission between generations.

Main Results:

Epigenetic loci produced stronger RI than equivalent genetic loci under high migration rates, particularly when highly inducible.
At lower migration rates, RI strength increased with higher epigenetic state transmissibility between generations.

Conclusions:

Epigenetic variation can facilitate speciation, especially in the face of high migration.
Suggests a progression of speciation regimes: inducible epigenetic marks, transmissible epigenetic marks, and finally genetic differentiation.