sympatric
Americanadjective
adjective
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Occupying the same or overlapping geographic areas without interbreeding. Although they share the same geographic range, sympatric populations of related organisms become isolated from each other reproductively. This can happen by the development of subpopulations that become dependent on distinct food sources or that evolve distinct seasonal mating behavior. Flowering plants frequently become reproductively isolated through the development of polyploid hybrids (hybrids with three or more sets of chromosomes) that cannot backcross with either parent.
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◆ The development of new species as a result of the reproductive isolation of populations that share the same geographic range is called sympatric speciation.
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Compare allopatric
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sympatric
1900–05; sym- + Greek pátr ( ā ) fatherland ( patr-, stem of patḗr father + -ā feminine noun suffix) + -ic
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Vocabulary lists containing sympatric
Animals (Zoology) - Middle School
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Evolutionary Biology - High School
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Animals (Zoology) - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A number of mechanisms for sympatric speciation have been proposed and studied.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Exactly what this grand, evolving mess means for the distribution and health of hornbill populations, and for sympatric plants and animals, is neither simple nor clear.
From Scientific American ● Apr. 22, 2014
One form of sympatric speciation can begin with a chromosomal error during meiosis or the formation of a hybrid individual with too many chromosomes.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013
It seems likely that host specificity of parasites in general is a common cause of sympatric speciation.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013
Patterns of dorsal coloration at mid-body of juveniles of two sympatric species of Conophis.
From A Revision of Snakes of the Genus Conophis (Family Colubridae, from Middle America) by John Wellman
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