allopatric

[al-uh-pa-trik]

adjective Biology, Ecology.

originating in or occupying different geographical areas.

Origin of allopatric

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

Related formsal·lo·pat·ri·cal·ly, adverbal·lop·a·try

[uh-lop-uh-tree] /əˈlɒp ə tri/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for allopatry

allopatric

adjective

(of biological speciation or species) taking place or existing in areas that are geographically separated from one anotherCompare sympatric

Derived Formsallopatrically, adverb

Word Origin for allopatric

C20: from allo- + -patric, from Greek patris native land

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

allopatry in Science

allopatric

[ăl′ə-păt′rĭk]

Ecology

Occurring in separate, nonoverlapping geographic areas. Allopatric populations of related organisms are unable to interbreed because of geographic separation.♦ The development of new species as a result of the geographic separation of populations is called allopatric speciation. Compare sympatric.