The Process of Speciation Chapter 16.3: The Process of Speciation

Speciation The formation of new species Because a population of individuals has a shared gene pool, a genetic change that occurs in one individual can spread through the population as that individual and its offspring reproduce

Reproductive Isolation As new species evolve, populations become reproductively isolated from each other Reproductive isolation occurs when members of two populations cannot interbreed and produce fertile offspring Can develop by behavioral isolation, temporal isolation, and temporal isolation

Behavioral Isolation Occurs when two populations are capable of interbreeding but have differences in courtship rituals or other reproductive strategies that involve behavior

Geographic Isolation Occurs when two populations are separated by geographic barriers such as rivers, mountains, or bodies of water Temporary geographic features does not guarantee isolation Geographic features may isolate some species but not others

Temporal Isolation Occurs when two or more species reproduce at different times

Darwin’s Finches Darwin hypothesized that the finches he found on the Galapagos Islands descended from a common ancestor He proposed that natural selection shaped the beaks of different bird populations as they adapted to eat different foods

Darwin’s Hypothesis Proven Speciation in the Galapagos finches occurred by founding of a new population, geographic isolation, changes in the new population’s gene pool, reproductive isolation, and ecological competition