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definitions

vicariance

[ vahy-kair-ee-uh ns, vi- ]
/ vaɪˈkɛər i əns, vɪ- /

noun Biology.

the geographical separation and isolation of a subpopulation, resulting in the original population's differentiation as a new variety or species.

Nearby words

  1. vicar of wakefield, the,
  2. vicar-general,
  3. vicarage,
  4. vicarate,
  5. vicarial,
  6. vicariant,
  7. vicariate,
  8. vicariate apostolic,
  9. vicarious,
  10. vicarious hypertrophy
Also called vicariance biogeography.
Related formsvi·car·i·ant, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Science definitions for vicariance

vicariance

[ vī-kâr′ē-əns, vĭ- ]

The separation or division of a group of organisms by a geographic barrier, such as a mountain or a body of water, resulting in differentiation of the original group into new varieties or species. See also speciation.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.