Speciation Meaning
/ˌspi.siˈeɪ.ʃən/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe process by which new distinct species evolve.
nounThe formation of different (inorganic) species (especially of ions) as the environment changes.
Sentence Examples
Speciation is the process by which new species are formed.
The study analyzed the rate of speciation in the population.
Geographical isolation can lead to the speciation of wildlife.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The process of one species splitting into two distinct ones is called ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Evolutionary biologists study ____, which is the process by which new species are formed over time.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English speciate Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English -ion English speciation From speciate + -ion.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"In both groups, however, we find copious and intricate speciation so that, often, species limits are narrow and ill defined."
— 1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, Chicago, Ill.: Field Museum of Natural History, →ISBN, page 3:
"No one had ever seen a new species produced, nor, according to Darwin, should they expect to. Speciation was so drawn out as to be, for all intents and purposes unobservable."
— 2014, Elizabeth Kolbert, The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, Picador, →ISBN, page 55:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The process of one species splitting into two distinct ones is called ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Evolutionary biologists study ____, which is the process by which new species are formed over time.