4.3.9
Allopatric & Sympatric Speciation
Allopatric Speciation
Allopatric Speciation
Allopatric speciation is a type of speciation where two (or more) populations are geographically isolated from each other.


Geographical isolation
Geographical isolation
- Populations of a species can split into two or more populations.
- This may be caused by environmental changes (e.g. emergence of a river) or random events (e.g. a storm causing a population of birds to be carried to another island).
- When two populations are physically separated, they are geographically isolated.


Selection pressures
Selection pressures
- Populations in different environments will be exposed to different environmental conditions (e.g. climate, food availability).
- The different environments will place different selection pressures on the populations.
- The different selection pressures will drive natural selection in different directions.


Allele frequencies
Allele frequencies
- The different selection pressures on the populations cause the allele frequencies in the two populations to change.
- If the populations continue to be geographically isolated for a long time, eventually the allele frequencies will change so much that if the populations are brought back together they can no longer interbreed.


Speciation
Speciation
- Species are defined as a group of actually or potentially interbreeding individuals.
- If two populations that have been geographically isolated can no longer interbreed when they are brought back together, they are considered to be two species.
- This is allopatric speciation.
Sympatric Speciation
Sympatric Speciation
Sympatric speciation is a type of speciation where two (or more) populations are not geographically isolated from each other and involves reproductive isolation.


Reproductive isolation
Reproductive isolation
- Scientists organize reproductive isolation into two groups: prezygotic and postzygotic.
- Recall that a zygote is a fertilized egg: the first cell of the development of an organism that reproduces sexually.
- So, a prezygotic barrier blocks reproduction from taking place such as barriers that prevent fertilization when organisms attempt reproduction.
- A postzygotic barrier occurs after zygote formation, such as organisms that don’t survive the embryonic stage and those born sterile.


Reproductive isolation mutations
Reproductive isolation mutations
- Sympatric speciation could be caused by mutations that influence many different factors:
- Polyploidy - where a cell or organism has an extra set, or sets, of chromosomes. Polyploidy organisms are reproductively isolated from diploid organisms.
- Mutations may influence the flowering times or mating times of individuals.
- Mutations may alter the reproductive organs.
- Mutations may alter mating behaviors.


Prezygotic barriers
Prezygotic barriers
- Differences in breeding schedules, called temporal isolation, can act as a form of reproductive isolation.
- For example, two species of frogs inhabit the same area, but one reproduces from January to March, whereas the other reproduces from March to May.
- In some cases, populations of a species move or are moved to a new habitat and take up residence in a place that no longer overlaps with the other populations of the same species.
- This situation is called habitat isolation.


Prezygotic barriers - 2
Prezygotic barriers - 2
- Behavioral isolation occurs when a specific behavior prevents reproduction from taking place.
- For example, male fireflies use specific light patterns to attract females. If a male of one species tried to attract the female of another, she would not recognize the light pattern.
- Other prezygotic barriers work when differences in their gamete cells (eggs and sperm) prevent fertilization from taking place; this is called a gametic barrier.


Postzygotic barriers
Postzygotic barriers
- When fertilization takes place and a zygote forms, postzygotic barriers can prevent reproduction.
- Hybrid individuals in many cases cannot form normally in the womb and simply do not survive past the embryonic stages.
- This is called hybrid inviability because the hybrid organisms simply are not viable.
- In another postzygotic situation, reproduction leads to the birth and growth of a hybrid that is sterile and unable to reproduce offspring of their own.
- This is called hybrid sterility.


Speciation
Speciation
- The biological definition of a species is a group of individuals that can actually or potentially interbreed.
- The emergence of a mutation that prevents two (or more) populations from interbreeding is called sympatric speciation.
1Unity & Diversity - Molecules
1.1Water
1.2DNA Structure & Replication
1.3Transcription & Gene Expression
2Unity & Diversity - Cells
2.1The Origin of Cells
2.2Introduction to Cells
2.3Ultrastructure of Cells
2.4Cell Division
2.5Structure of DNA & RNA
2.6DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation
2.7Cell Respiration
2.8Photosynthesis
2.9Viruses
3Unity & Diversity - Organisms
3.1Diversity of Organisms
3.2Evidence for Evolution
4Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems
4.1Classification
4.3Evolution & Speciation
4.3.1Evidence for Evolution - Fossils & DNA
4.3.2Evidence for Evolution - Anatomy & Geography
4.3.3IB Multiple Choice - Evidence for Evolution
4.3.4Extended Response - DNA & Evolution
4.3.5Populations
4.3.6Mutations, Genetic Drift, & Gene Flow
4.3.7Speciation
4.3.8Rate of Speciation
4.3.9Allopatric & Sympatric Speciation
4.4Conservation of Biodiversity
5Form & Function - Molecules
6Form & Function - Cells
6.1Membranes & Membrane Transport
6.2Organelles & Compartmentalization
6.3Cell Specialization
7Form & Function - Organisms
7.2Transport
7.3Muscle & Motility
8Form & Function - Ecosystems
8.1Species, Communities & Ecosytems
8.3Carbon Cycle
9Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules
9.1Enzymes
9.2Metabolism
9.3Cell Respiration
10Interaction & Interdependence - Cells
10.1Chemical Signalling
10.2Neural Signalling
10.3Adaptation to Environment
10.4Ecological Niches
11Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms
11.1Integration of Body Systems
12Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems
12.1Populations & Communities
12.2Transfers of Energy & Matter
13Continuity & Change - Molecules
13.1DNA Replication
13.2Protein Synthesis
14Continuity & Change - Cells
15Continuity & Change - Organisms
15.1Inheritance
15.1.1Non-Nuclear Inheritance
15.1.2Linked Genes
15.1.3IB Multiple Choice - Non-Mendelian Genetics
15.1.4Extended Response - Inheritance
15.1.5Introduction to Non-Mendelian Inheritance
15.1.6Chi-Squared Test
15.1.7End of Topic Quiz - Inheritance
15.1.8Sex-Linked Genes
15.1.9Grade 4-5 (Scientific Practices) - Inheritance
16Continuity & Change - Ecosystems
16.1Natural Selection
16.2Stability & Change
Jump to other topics
1Unity & Diversity - Molecules
1.1Water
1.2DNA Structure & Replication
1.3Transcription & Gene Expression
2Unity & Diversity - Cells
2.1The Origin of Cells
2.2Introduction to Cells
2.3Ultrastructure of Cells
2.4Cell Division
2.5Structure of DNA & RNA
2.6DNA Replication, Transcription & Translation
2.7Cell Respiration
2.8Photosynthesis
2.9Viruses
3Unity & Diversity - Organisms
3.1Diversity of Organisms
3.2Evidence for Evolution
4Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems
4.1Classification
4.3Evolution & Speciation
4.3.1Evidence for Evolution - Fossils & DNA
4.3.2Evidence for Evolution - Anatomy & Geography
4.3.3IB Multiple Choice - Evidence for Evolution
4.3.4Extended Response - DNA & Evolution
4.3.5Populations
4.3.6Mutations, Genetic Drift, & Gene Flow
4.3.7Speciation
4.3.8Rate of Speciation
4.3.9Allopatric & Sympatric Speciation
4.4Conservation of Biodiversity
5Form & Function - Molecules
6Form & Function - Cells
6.1Membranes & Membrane Transport
6.2Organelles & Compartmentalization
6.3Cell Specialization
7Form & Function - Organisms
7.2Transport
7.3Muscle & Motility
8Form & Function - Ecosystems
8.1Species, Communities & Ecosytems
8.3Carbon Cycle
9Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules
9.1Enzymes
9.2Metabolism
9.3Cell Respiration
10Interaction & Interdependence - Cells
10.1Chemical Signalling
10.2Neural Signalling
10.3Adaptation to Environment
10.4Ecological Niches
11Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms
11.1Integration of Body Systems
12Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems
12.1Populations & Communities
12.2Transfers of Energy & Matter
13Continuity & Change - Molecules
13.1DNA Replication
13.2Protein Synthesis
14Continuity & Change - Cells
15Continuity & Change - Organisms
15.1Inheritance
15.1.1Non-Nuclear Inheritance
15.1.2Linked Genes
15.1.3IB Multiple Choice - Non-Mendelian Genetics
15.1.4Extended Response - Inheritance
15.1.5Introduction to Non-Mendelian Inheritance
15.1.6Chi-Squared Test
15.1.7End of Topic Quiz - Inheritance
15.1.8Sex-Linked Genes
15.1.9Grade 4-5 (Scientific Practices) - Inheritance
16Continuity & Change - Ecosystems
16.1Natural Selection
16.2Stability & Change
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