Geographic isolation leads to speciation from "summary" of The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
Darwin proposed that when a population becomes geographically isolated, it can lead to the formation of new species over time. The isolation prevents individuals from different populations from interbreeding, which can result in the accumulation of genetic differences between them. As these populations become more genetically distinct, they may eventually become reproductively isolated from one another, meaning that they can no longer produce viable offspring together. This process of geographic isolation followed by genetic divergence and reproductive isolation is a key mechanism in the formation of new species. It can occur in a variety of ways, such as when a physical barrier like a mountain range or a body of water separates a population into two or more smaller populations. Over time, these populations may evolve in response to different environmental conditions, leading to the formation of distinct traits and adaptations. For example, if ...
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