allopatric

American  

[al-uh-pa-trik] / ˌæl əˈpæ trɪk /

adjective

Biology, Ecology.

1. originating in or occupying different geographical areas.

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allopatric British  

/ ˌæləˈpætrɪk /

adjective

1. (of biological speciation or species) taking place or existing in areas that are geographically separated from one another Compare sympatric

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allopatric Scientific  

/ ăl′ə-păt′rĭk /

1. Occurring in separate, nonoverlapping geographic areas. Allopatric populations of related organisms are unable to interbreed because of geographic separation.

2. ◆ The development of new species as a result of the geographic separation of populations is called allopatric speciation.

3. Compare sympatric

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Other Word Forms

• allopatrically adverb
• allopatry noun

Etymology

Origin of allopatric

1940–45; allo- + Greek patr ( ía ) fatherland ( patḗr father + -ia noun suffix) + -ic

Compare meaning

How does allopatric compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• allopatric vs. sympatric

Example Sentences

Which situation would most likely lead to allopatric speciation?

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Genetic variation influences sympatric speciation, but not allopatric speciation.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The students suggested these factors: natural selection, morphological mutations, punctuated equilibrium and allopatric speciation.

From Washington Post • Feb. 20, 2022

Perhaps the title should have something to do with allopatric speciation as well as just the numbers of the pigeons.

From New York Times • Nov. 16, 2017

If this can be demonstrated, then Bufo perplexus would have to be considered as a subspecies of Bufo marmoreus, instead of an allopatric species.

From The Amphibians and Reptiles of Michoacán, México by Duellman, William E.