PERIPATRIC SPECIATION
Peripatric speciation occurs when a small group of individuals break off of the main group to form a new species. Similar to allopatric speciation, the two groups are separated by physical barriers such as mountain ranges or waterways, making it almost impossible for the two groups to interbreed. In the smaller group that had been isolated from the parent group, there would usually be a special gene among them. This special gene could allow the particular species to develop thicker fur, longer limbs or even, in extremely rare cases, an entirely new body part! This special gene which is rare among the main group will drift to fixation due to the small number of individuals that had been isolated over the course of a few generations. This unique characteristic is what will separate and distinguish this smaller, new species from the main, parent group. As the population of the sub-group grows, more changes will begin to develop, often being characteristics that help the animal to adapt to its new environment. After several more generations, the new species will become reproductively isolated from the main species and peripatric speciation has occurred.
Peripatric speciation occurs when a small group of individuals break off of the main group to form a new species. Similar to allopatric speciation, the two groups are separated by physical barriers such as mountain ranges or waterways, making it almost impossible for the two groups to interbreed. In the smaller group that had been isolated from the parent group, there would usually be a special gene among them. This special gene could allow the particular species to develop thicker fur, longer limbs or even, in extremely rare cases, an entirely new body part! This special gene which is rare among the main group will drift to fixation due to the small number of individuals that had been isolated over the course of a few generations. This unique characteristic is what will separate and distinguish this smaller, new species from the main, parent group. As the population of the sub-group grows, more changes will begin to develop, often being characteristics that help the animal to adapt to its new environment. After several more generations, the new species will become reproductively isolated from the main species and peripatric speciation has occurred.
A great example of peripatric speciation is the London Underground mosquitoes
The London Underground mosquito is a form of mosquito found in the London Underground. Biologists named the London Underground mosquito Culex pipiens f. molestus due to its edacious biting. This mosquito, was first discovered in the London Underground system, and can be found in various underground systems around the world. From being a local above-ground Culex pipiens, it gradually adapted to human-made underground systems. Recent evidence suggests it is a southern mosquito variety related to C. pipiens that has adapted to the warm underground spaces of northern cities.
The evidence for this particular mosquito being a completely different species from C. pipiens comes from research done by Kate Byrne and Richard Nichols. The species have very different behaviours and are exceedingly difficult to mate. More specifically, the C. p. f. molestus, can breed all-year round, is cold intolerant and bites rats, mice, and humans, whereas the above-ground species is also cold tolerant but hibernates in the winter and bites only birds. When these two varieties were cross-bred, the eggs were infertile, suggesting reproductive isolation.
So Basically:
When the small group become the outsiders,
their genes begin to evolve.
A special gene emerges,
so special traits are involved.
Because the gene is rare,
the group is all alone,
isolated for generations,
they are distinguished on their own.
They are reproductively isolated,
but they are not deterred,
they adapt to their environment,
peripatric speciation has occurred.
The London Underground mosquito is a form of mosquito found in the London Underground. Biologists named the London Underground mosquito Culex pipiens f. molestus due to its edacious biting. This mosquito, was first discovered in the London Underground system, and can be found in various underground systems around the world. From being a local above-ground Culex pipiens, it gradually adapted to human-made underground systems. Recent evidence suggests it is a southern mosquito variety related to C. pipiens that has adapted to the warm underground spaces of northern cities.
The evidence for this particular mosquito being a completely different species from C. pipiens comes from research done by Kate Byrne and Richard Nichols. The species have very different behaviours and are exceedingly difficult to mate. More specifically, the C. p. f. molestus, can breed all-year round, is cold intolerant and bites rats, mice, and humans, whereas the above-ground species is also cold tolerant but hibernates in the winter and bites only birds. When these two varieties were cross-bred, the eggs were infertile, suggesting reproductive isolation.
So Basically:
When the small group become the outsiders,
their genes begin to evolve.
A special gene emerges,
so special traits are involved.
Because the gene is rare,
the group is all alone,
isolated for generations,
they are distinguished on their own.
They are reproductively isolated,
but they are not deterred,
they adapt to their environment,
peripatric speciation has occurred.