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

Genetic variation influences sympatric speciation, but not allopatric speciation.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

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

The process of speciation within the same space is called sympatric speciation; the prefix “sym” means same, so “sympatric” means “same homeland” in contrast to “allopatric” meaning “other homeland.”

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

One leads to allopatric speciation, whereas the other leads to sympatric speciation.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Two cases of sympatric occurrence are known for the species of Syrrhophus in western M�xico: modestus and nivocolimae are sympatric in southern Jalisco and pipilans nebulosus and rubrimaculatus are sympatric in southeastern Chiapas.

From A Taxonomic Revision of the Leptodactylid Frog Genus Syrrhophus Cope by Lynch, John D.