Dictionary.com

vicariance

[ vahy-kair-ee-uhns, vi- ]
/ vaɪˈkɛər i əns, vɪ- /
Save This Word!

noun Biology.
the geographical separation and isolation of a subpopulation, resulting in the original population's differentiation as a new variety or species.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Also called vicariance biogeography.

Origin of vicariance

First recorded in 1955–60; from Latin vicāri(us) “substituting” + -ance

OTHER WORDS FROM vicariance

vi·car·i·ant, adjective, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Scientific definitions for vicariance

vicariance
[ vī-kârē-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.
FEEDBACK