How is a new species created?
Behavioral Isolation
caused by differences in courtship behaviors or mating rituals. This could include songs, chemical scents or dances. (blue footed booby courtship dance)
Mechanical Isolation
Mating may be prevented due to (examples): Anatomy or body part are not compatible. Differences in chromosome number. Hybrid embryos die or hybrid adults cannot survive in nature. Hybrids that do survive are infertile and cannot make babies.
Species
a population that can inter-breed and make fertile offspring
Temporal or Time isolation
interbreeding may not occur due to (examples): 2 fish species live in the same river, but they mate in different SEASONS. Some pine trees make pollen in February, other pines make pollen in April. 2 ground squirrel species live in the same area, one is NOCTURNAL, the other is DIURNAL.
Geographic Isolation
physical barrier separates or divides a population into different groups (Mountains, rivers, valleys, islands, volcanoes, roads, highways)
Reproductive Isolation
when members of a population become separated and, overtime, they cannot inter-breed to make offspring. This results in speciation -the creation of a new species
Divergent Evolution
where species become less alike as they adapt to different environments. (ADAPTIVE RADIATION of Darwin's Finches on the Galapagos' Islands)
Convergent evolution
where unrelated species develop similar body structures or behaviors due to the environmental pressures (ocean animals)