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vicariance

[vahy-kair-ee-uh ns, vi-]
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noun Biology.
  1. the geographical separation and isolation of a subpopulation, resulting in the original population's differentiation as a new variety or species.
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Also called vicariance biogeography.
Related formsvi·car·i·ant, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
vicariance in Science

vicariance

[vī-kâr′ē-əns, vĭ-]
  1. 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.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.