Allopatric and sympatric speciation
Speciation is the formation of new species. It can happen when a physical barrier splits a population apart (allopatric), or when reproductive isolation develops within the same location (sympatric).
Real World
Darwin's finches on the Galápagos Islands are a classic case of allopatric speciation — ancestral finches from South America colonised different islands, and geographic isolation led to 13 distinct species with different beak shapes.
Exam Focus
Name the isolation type first (geographic or reproductive), then explain the mechanism — examiners award marks for logical sequence.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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