Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Allopatric speciation occurs when a population of organisms is separated by a physical barrier, such as a mountain range or body of water, leading to the formation of new species over time.
Related terms
Geographic isolation: The physical separation of populations due to geographical barriers.
Reproductive isolation: The inability of individuals from different populations to successfully mate and produce fertile offspring.
Genetic drift: Random changes in gene frequencies within a population due to chance events.