Changes

'''Sympatric speciation''', unlike [[allopatric speciation]], does not require large-scale geographic distance to reduce gene flow between parts of a population. Merely exploiting a new niche may automatically reduce [[gene]] flow with individuals exploiting the other niche. This may occasionally happen when, for example, herbivorous insects try out a new host plant. The question of whether speciation can occur in sympatry has been among the most contentious in evolutionary biology. In recent years a growing number of studies have provided empirical evidence that it has occurred <ref> 

'''Sympatric speciation''', unlike [[allopatric speciation]], is speciation which takes place in the same physical environment or ecological niche. Such speciation may also take place after a gross [[gene | genetic]] change in a population. It appears that this type of evolution is more common in plants, whose reproductive cycles make them especially prone to both changes in lifestyle and chromosomal makeup.

 

The question of whether speciation can occur in sympatry has been among the most contentious in evolutionary biology. In recent years a growing number of studies have provided empirical evidence that it has occurred <ref> 

Barluenga, M et al Sympatric speciation in Nicaraguan crater lake cichlid ''Nature''439:719</ref><ref> Savolainen, V. et al. Sympatric speciation in palms on an oceanic island ''Nature''441, 210 - 2130</ref>

Barluenga, M et al Sympatric speciation in Nicaraguan crater lake cichlid ''Nature''439:719</ref><ref> Savolainen, V. et al. Sympatric speciation in palms on an oceanic island ''Nature''441, 210 - 2130</ref>