Sympatric speciation

Definition

Sympatric speciation occurs when new species arise from a single ancestral species without any physical barriers separating their habitats. This can happen through factors like polyploidy (having extra sets of chromosomes) or divergent selection pressures.

Related terms

Polyploidy: A condition where an organism has more than two complete sets of chromosomes.

Adaptive radiation: The rapid diversification of species into various ecological niches.

Ecological isolation: When two closely related species occupy different habitats within the same geographic area and do not interact with each other.