sympatric

American  

[sim-pa-trik, -pey-] / sɪmˈpæ trɪk, -ˈpeɪ- /

adjective

Biology, Ecology.

1. originating in or occupying the same geographical area.

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sympatric British  

/ sɪmˈpætrɪk /

adjective

1. (of biological speciation or species) taking place or existing in the same or overlapping geographical areas Compare allopatric

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sympatric Scientific  

/ sĭm-păt′rĭk /

1. 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.

2. ◆ The development of new species as a result of the reproductive isolation of populations that share the same geographic range is called sympatric speciation.

3. Compare allopatric

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Other Word Forms

• sympatrically adverb

Etymology

Origin of sympatric

1900–05; sym- + Greek pátr ( ā ) fatherland ( patr-, stem of patḗr father + -ā feminine noun suffix) + -ic

Compare meaning

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

• allopatric vs. sympatric

Example Sentences

If this group of fish continued to remain separate from the first population, eventually sympatric speciation might occur as more genetic differences accumulated between them.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

In this way, sympatric speciation can occur quickly by forming offspring with 4n called a tetraploid.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Finally, a well-documented example of ongoing sympatric speciation occurred in the apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella, which arose as an isolated population sometime after the introduction of the apple into North America.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Two species of fish had recently undergone sympatric speciation.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Other sympatric species are Hyla walkeri, which has a green dorsum with brown markings and a rather pointed snout, and Hyla sumichrasti, a small yellow frog usually lacking vomerine teeth.

From A Review of the Middle American Tree Frogs of the Genus Ptychohyla by Duellman, William E.