Hybridization, or interbreeding between different taxa, was traditionally considered to be
rare and to have a largely detrimental impact on biodiversity, sometimes leading to the …

Speciation, the evolution of reproductive isolation among populations, is continuous,
complex, and involves multiple, interacting barriers. Until it is complete, the effects of this …

In recent years, scientists have realized that evolution can occur on timescales much shorter
than the" long lapse of ages" emphasized by Darwin—in fact, evolutionary change is …

Speciation is the process by which barriers to gene flow evolve between populations.
Although we now know that speciation is largely driven by natural selection, knowledge of …

The origin of biological diversity, via the formation of new species, can be inextricably linked
to adaptation to the ecological environment. Specifically, ecological processes are central to …

Next-generation sequencing technology provides novel opportunities for gathering genome-
scale sequence data in natural populations, laying the empirical foundation for the evolving …

Development of mating preference is considered to be an early event in speciation. In this
study, mating preference was achieved by dividing a population of Drosophila melanogaster …

Ecological processes are central to the formation of new species when barriers to gene flow
(reproductive isolation) evolve between populations as a result of ecologically‐based …

Natural selection commonly drives the origin of species, as Darwin initially claimed.
Mechanisms of speciation by selection fall into two broad categories: ecological and …

Speciation with gene flow is greatly facilitated when traits subject to divergent selection also
contribute to non-random mating. Such traits have been called 'magic traits', which could be …