Answer to Question #202001 in Evolution for James

Question

Speciation has two stages. Name and explain both stages with examples.

Answer 1

For speciation to occur, two new populations must be formed from one original population and they must evolve in such a way that it becomes impossible for individuals from the two new populations to interbreed. Biologists have proposed mechanisms by which this could occur that fall into two broad categories. Allopatric speciation - involves geographic separation of populations from a parent species and subsequent evolution. Sympatric speciation - involves speciation occurring within a parent species remaining in one location.