parapatrítrica

Parapatric speciation is an evolutionary process where new species arise from populations that are adjacent to each other but not entirely separated. This occurs when there is a continuous geographic distribution of a species, but different parts of the population experience different environmental pressures or selective forces. These differing pressures can lead to the evolution of distinct traits within the population. Over time, if the divergence becomes significant enough, individuals from the diverging populations may become reproductively isolated, meaning they can no longer successfully interbreed, even if they come into contact.

The key characteristic of parapatric speciation is the presence of a gene flow barrier, but not a complete geographic isolation. Individuals in the adjacent populations can still interbreed, but it is less likely than within their own population. This limited gene flow allows for some genetic exchange, but the environmental differences drive the populations apart genetically. Examples often involve populations living in distinct habitats that are located next to each other, such as along an environmental gradient or where two different soil types meet. The development of reproductive isolation in parapatric speciation can occur through mechanisms like assortative mating, where individuals with similar traits are more likely to mate, or through the evolution of different mating times or behaviors.