parapatríca

Parapatry is a mode of speciation in which new species evolve from a single ancestral species while maintaining *somewhat* of a contiguous distribution. In this scenario, populations are geographically adjacent but have limited gene flow between them. This limited gene flow is often due to a combination of factors such as differing ecological conditions, habitat preferences, or behavioral differences. Speciation occurs when selection pressures favor different traits in adjacent populations, leading to reproductive isolation. Over time, even with some overlap in range, the genetic divergence between these populations becomes so great that they can no longer interbreed successfully, thus forming distinct species. A key characteristic of parapatry is the presence of a hybrid zone, an area where the two diverging populations meet and interbreed, but where hybrids are less fit than individuals from either parent population. This zone acts as a barrier to complete gene flow and reinforces the speciation process. Unlike sympatric speciation, where species arise within the same geographic area, or allopatric speciation, where populations are completely separated by a physical barrier, parapatric speciation involves populations that are geographically close but not entirely isolated.