speciation

Definition

The evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct biological species.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'species' meaning 'kind' or 'appearance,' combined with the suffix '-ation' to denote a process. It entered scientific English in the early 20th century to describe the mechanisms of divergence in evolutionary biology.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe how hybridization can act as a catalyst or a barrier in the formation of new, distinct lineages within a population. Understanding speciation is central to grasping how genetic diversity and distinct species are maintained over time.

Genetics and genomics of hybridization

Nature

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