speciation
/,spi:ʃi'eiʃn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species: Speciation is the formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution. It occurs when groups within a single species become reproductively isolated and diverge genetically over time.
Usage
Speciation is a core concept in evolutionary biology. It describes the process, not a single event, that results in biodiversity. It is typically used in scientific, academic, and educational contexts.
Examples
- Noun:
- Allopatric speciation occurs when a population is geographically isolated.
- The study focused on the mechanisms of speciation in Darwin's finches.
- Genetic divergence is a key component of the speciation process.
Advanced Usage
- "Mode of speciation": Refers to the specific circumstances (e.g., geographic separation) under which speciation occurs.
- Sympatric speciation is a mode where new species evolve from a single ancestral species while inhabiting the same geographic region.
- "Rate of speciation": Refers to how quickly new species form.
- Environmental changes can accelerate the rate of speciation.
Variants and Related Words
- Speciate (verb): To undergo the process of speciation.
- The isolated populations began to speciate.
- Allopatric speciation (noun phrase): Speciation that occurs when biological populations become geographically isolated.
- Sympatric speciation (noun phrase): Speciation that occurs without geographic isolation.
Synonyms
- Species formation: The act or process of forming new species.
- Cladogenesis: Evolutionary splitting of a parent species into two distinct species, forming a clade.
Related Terms (Not synonyms but closely associated concepts)
- Evolution: The broader process of change in heritable traits over successive generations.
- Reproductive isolation: The inability of a species to breed successfully with related species, a key factor in speciation.
- Genetic drift: A mechanism of evolution that can contribute to speciation, especially in small populations.
Noun
- the evolution of a biological species