Sympatry

Sympatry refers to the occurrence of two or more species occupying the same geographic area. These species are considered sympatric populations and encounter each other during their life cycles.

Sympatry is a critical concept in evolutionary biology, particularly in the study of speciation. Sympatric speciation is the process by which new species evolve from a single ancestral species while inhabiting the same geographic region. This process is generally considered more challenging than allopatric speciation (where populations are geographically isolated) because gene flow between diverging populations can hinder the development of reproductive isolation. Mechanisms that can drive sympatric speciation include disruptive selection, sexual selection, and polyploidy.

Understanding sympatry is essential for investigating evolutionary processes, community ecology, and conservation biology. It helps researchers understand how different species coexist, compete, and interact within shared habitats. The study of sympatric species provides insights into the mechanisms that maintain species boundaries and promote biodiversity.

In contrast to sympatry, allopatry refers to species occurring in geographically separated areas, and parapatry refers to species occurring in adjacent geographic areas with a zone of contact.