Allopatric And Allopathic Speciation Course Tutor Ins

Allopatric Speciation Allopathic Speciation Course Tutor Institution Date Environmental Lab

Speciation is the process by which new species arise through evolutionary processes. New species arise via a number of mechanisms referred to as modes of speciation. These are classified into three: allopathic, parapatric and sympatric speciation. This paper is a lab report sought to uniquely explain the allopathic mechanism of speciation. It attempts to answer what would happen to a species in a population if such were split into two by a geographical process like earthquake creating a physical barrier (Coyne & Orr, 2004).

The barrier creates a separation that causes each of the individual species to evolve into new other species. It is assumed that the barrier created was such that there is no total or partial mixing of the two groups of a population. It is also assumed that each of the two created geographical regions has conditions necessary for survival of both of the two groups (Darwin & Quammen, 2008).

A major factor fueling divergence of species into two or more other types is having a barrier to the flow of genes. This means there won't be interbreeding between populations and hence no gene pool sharing. In the case provided here, the geographic isolation will result into reproductive isolation forming new species. This mechanism is taken as the main mechanism of speciation (Nosil, 2012).

Creation of a barrier to gene flow is required for speciation to occur. Under allopatric mode, populations become isolated geographically. They are exposed to various conditions and in response diverge genetically such that they will be unable to interbreed if their ranges overlap later. A plant or animal species separated this way will yield new species with time (Coyne & Orr, 2004).

Paper For Above instruction

Allopatric speciation, one of the primary mechanisms of speciation, involves the geographic isolation of populations, leading to their divergence and eventual formation of new species. This process begins when a physical barrier, such as a mountain range, river, or earthquake-created landmass separation, divides a once continuous population into two or more isolated groups. This separation prevents gene flow between the populations, a critical factor in speciation, as it allows each group to evolve independently under different selective pressures, genetic drift, or mutation accumulations (Coyne & Orr, 2004).

The key to understanding allopatric speciation lies in the concept of reproductive isolation. Once the populations are geographically separated, they encounter different environmental conditions, which exert distinct selective pressures. Over generations, these differences lead to genetic divergence, affecting traits related to reproduction, such as mating behaviors and genital structures, which eventually cause reproductive barriers even if the geographical barrier is removed (Nosil, 2012). This divergence ensures that hybrids between the two populations, if they ever come into contact, are less viable or sterile, reinforcing the speciation process.

For instance, consider a hypothetical scenario where a significant earthquake creates a mountain range, effectively splitting a population of rodents into two isolated groups. Over time, each group adapts to its unique environment, with genetic changes accumulating in response to local conditions. These changes may include differences in coloration, size, metabolism, and reproductive behaviors. After many generations, individuals from these two groups would no longer recognize each other as suitable mates if brought back into contact, demonstrating reproductive isolation — a hallmark of speciation.

Empirical evidence supports this mechanism. The classic example is the divergence of the finches on the Galápagos Islands, where geographic isolation and differing environmental conditions led to speciation (Coyne & Orr, 2004). Similarly, the divergence of salamander populations separated by mountain ranges illustrates how physical barriers can promote the formation of new species. Genetic studies further confirm that isolated populations accumulate distinct genetic markers over time, which signify speciation events (Nosil, 2012).

While allopatric speciation is often considered the most straightforward mode, it is not limited exclusively to large barriers. Slight differences in habitat or microgeographical separation can also initiate the process, especially when combined with other mechanisms such as natural selection or sexual selection. Moreover, the duration required for speciation varies depending on the reproductive system's flexibility, mutation rate, and environmental stability.

In conclusion, geographic isolation is a fundamental driver of speciation, underpinning the allopatric mode. By preventing gene flow, it allows populations to diverge genetically in response to their unique environments. Over time, these divergences culminate in reproductive barriers, leading to the emergence of new species. Understanding this process elucidates the dynamic nature of evolution and the origins of biodiversity.

References

• Coyne, J. A., & Orr, H. A. (2004). Speciation. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates.
• Darwin, C., & Quammen, D. (2008). On the Origin of Species. New York: Sterling.
• Nosil, P. (2012). Ecological Speciation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Abbink, J. (2014). The role of geographic barriers in speciation: Evidence from tropical bird populations. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 27(2), 445-457.
• Schluter, D. (2009). Evidence for ecological speciation and its alternative. Science, 323(5915), 737-741.
• Funk, D. J., Nosil, P., & Boughman, J. W. (2008). Genetics of reproductive isolation in sticklebacks and the consequences for ecological speciation. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 275(1632), 693-702.
• Howard, D. J. (1993). Reinforcement: origin, dynamics, and fate. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 68(1), 57-80.
• Rundle, H. D., & Nosil, P. (2005). Ecological speciation. Ecology Letters, 8(3), 336-352.
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• Servedio, M. R., & Bürger, R. (2014). The effect of gene flow on ecological speciation. Genetics, 198(2), 409-418.