Question

Differentiate Allopatric and Sympatric species.

Answer 1

Hint: This is a type of speciation where one population is isolated and in others, the members of the different populations live in the same area but speciation still occurs.

Complete step by step answer:
Difference between Allopatric and Sympatric species

Allopatric Speciation	Sympatric Speciation
- The gene flow is interrupted when a population is divided into geographically isolated subpopulations.	- This occurs when part of a population enters a new habitat broadening the range of the parent species.
- Due to partial geographical barriers or unequal distribution of members of the subpopulations.	- Due to the new species emerge from populations living in overlapping or even identical areas.
- Example: Fruit fly being separated in the lab.	- Example: Cichic fish in Tanzania that live in small volcanic crater lakes.

Additional information:
- Species: This is defined as a group of the population whose members have the potential to interbreed in nature and produce viable, fertile offspring, but do not produce viable offspring with members of other groups.
- Speciation: This is the development of new species through a variety of factors. The rate of speciation depends on generation time, environmental conditions, etc. It can be caused by a change in just one gene or a set of genes causing some sort of isolation.

- Types of speciation:
Allopatric speciation
Parapatric speciation
Sympatric speciation

Note:
- Parapatric speciation: This occurs when the part of the population enters a new habitat bordering the range of the parent species. Some gene flow may occur between the population in the border zone.
- Gradualism: When one species gradually transforms into another through a series of intermediate forms. Evolutions occur in small, incremental changes over many generations.
- Punctuated Equilibrium: The relatively brief burst of rapid evolution interrupting long periods of little change. This fits with allopatric speciation.