10 examples of speciation by Abigail Caldwell

Galapagos Finches

28acaldwell — 2025-01-23 21:37:33 UTC

Galapagos finches are a great example of speciation. Groups of finches have been separated for extended periods of time by expanses of ocean. During this time, the groups have adapted different traits and have evolved differently. For example, some finches have long sharp beaks while others have large blunt beaks.

Source: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/speciation/

European Whitefish

28acaldwell — 2025-01-27 21:45:42 UTC

European whitefish are another fantastic example of speciation. Over time, the fish have evolved to be five distinct species. These fish reside in Scandinavian lakes. Even though the fish live in the same lake, there are ecologically distinct areas within the lake. Different groups of fish lived in different parts of the lake. This led them to develop different traits and become isolated from other groups.

Abert’s Squirel

28acaldwell — 2025-01-27 23:39:54 UTC

Kaibab squirrels are a sub-species of Abert’s squirrels. The Kaibab live on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, while the Abert’s live on the south rim. They don’t quite have enough genetic differences to be officially classified as different species (yet), but if they continue to evolve and adapt quickly, it’s very possible that they’ll be considered different species in the future.

Source: https://bio.libretexts.org/Courses/Skyline_College/BIOL_130%3A_Human_Biology/04%3A_Biological_Evolution/4.05%3A_Macroevolution#:~:text=Abert's%20squirrels%20are%20the%20original,classified%20as%20a%20separate%20species.

Greenish Warbler

28acaldwell — 2025-01-27 23:48:18 UTC

There are two distinct species among Greenish Warblers. The populations both reside and coexist in northern and Central Asia. However, the two groups don’t interbreed, which classifies them as two separate species. Additionally, they have differences in traits, such as their plumage.

Source:https://www.zoology.ubc.ca/~irwin/GreenishWarblers.html

Herring Gull

28acaldwell — 2025-01-28 00:03:24 UTC

Experts and researchers studied and analyzed the DNA of Herring Gulls. This was done in order to understand what kind of speciation they underwent. They were originally thought to be a ring species, but it turns out that they most likely underwent complex species scenarios.

Source: https://bmcecolevol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2148-10-348

Hawthorn and Apple Maggots

28acaldwell — 2025-01-28 00:16:18 UTC

Originally, these maggots only laid their eggs on hawthorn apples specifically. However, over time, certain groups of maggots have started laying their eggs on other domesticated breeds of apples as well. These two groups no longer interbreed, and are now recognized as separate species.

Source: https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/examples-speciation

Tennessee Cave Salamanders

28acaldwell — 2025-01-28 00:19:20 UTC

This particular species of salamander is believed to have previously interbred with above ground salamanders. However, over time, they adapted to their cold and dark underground environment, and no longer interbreed with above ground species or groups. This separates them from other salamanders, and they are considered to be their own species.

Source: https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/examples-speciation

Norfolk and Scarlet Robins

28acaldwell — 2025-01-28 00:22:48 UTC

It used to be believed that the Norfolk and Scarlet robin were of the same species. However, this assumption is false. The two groups of robins not only live in different regions, but possess different traits. This classifies then as two separate species.

Source: https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/examples-speciation

Drosophila Flies

28acaldwell — 2025-01-28 00:24:52 UTC

Scientists have found that there are many different species and classifications of drosophila flies. These different species and groups inherit different traits. This is most likely the result of natural selection in different environments.

Source:https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/examples-speciation

Esatina Salamanders

28acaldwell — 2025-01-28 00:27:18 UTC

Esatina Salamanders started off as one species in the cooler parts of California and Oregon. However, as they moved to the warmer regions thereof, they started to undergo adaptations in their new environments. This has led them to evolve into separate species.

Source: https://www.yourdictionary.com/articles/examples-speciation