Speciation - Revision history

Wordpad: BloomWiki: Speciation

2026-04-25T01:58:17Z

BloomWiki: Speciation

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:58, 25 April 2026
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			<div style="background-color: #4B0082; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
	{{BloomIntro}}		{{BloomIntro}}
	Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species. It is the answer to the question: "Where does biodiversity come from?" While individual evolution is about change ''within'' a group, speciation is about the '''Splitting''' of one group into two. This happens when a population becomes "Reproductively Isolated"—meaning they can no longer mate and share genes. Over millions of years, these small splits add up, turning a single ancestor into the millions of plants, animals, and fungi we see today.		Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species. It is the answer to the question: "Where does biodiversity come from?" While individual evolution is about change ''within'' a group, speciation is about the '''Splitting''' of one group into two. This happens when a population becomes "Reproductively Isolated"—meaning they can no longer mate and share genes. Over millions of years, these small splits add up, turning a single ancestor into the millions of plants, animals, and fungi we see today.
			</div>

	== Remembering ==		__TOC__

			<div style="background-color: #000080; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
			== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Remembering</span> ==
	* '''Speciation''' — The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.		* '''Speciation''' — The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
	* '''Species''' — A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.		* '''Species''' — A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
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	* '''Gradualism''' — The idea that speciation happens slowly and steadily over millions of years.		* '''Gradualism''' — The idea that speciation happens slowly and steadily over millions of years.
	* '''Punctuated Equilibrium''' — The idea that species stay the same for a long time and then change very rapidly during "explosions" of speciation.		* '''Punctuated Equilibrium''' — The idea that species stay the same for a long time and then change very rapidly during "explosions" of speciation.
			</div>

	== Understanding ==		<div style="background-color: #006400; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
			== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Understanding</span> ==
	Speciation is understood through the '''Barriers to Breeding'''.		Speciation is understood through the '''Barriers to Breeding'''.

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	'''The Biological Species Concept''': This is the most popular definition—if two things can't have "fertile" babies, they are different species. A Lion and a Tiger can have a "Liger," but the Liger is sterile. Therefore, Lions and Tigers are different species.		'''The Biological Species Concept''': This is the most popular definition—if two things can't have "fertile" babies, they are different species. A Lion and a Tiger can have a "Liger," but the Liger is sterile. Therefore, Lions and Tigers are different species.
			</div>

	== Applying ==		<div style="background-color: #8B0000; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
			== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Applying</span> ==
	'''Modeling 'The Splitting Point' (Genetic Distance):'''		'''Modeling 'The Splitting Point' (Genetic Distance):'''
	<syntaxhighlight lang="python">		<syntaxhighlight lang="python">
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	: '''The Isthmus of Panama''' → When the bridge of land formed 3 million years ago, it separated fish in the Atlantic and Pacific, leading to many new "Sister Species."		: '''The Isthmus of Panama''' → When the bridge of land formed 3 million years ago, it separated fish in the Atlantic and Pacific, leading to many new "Sister Species."
	: '''Apple Maggot Flies''' → A modern case of speciation where flies that once ate Hawthorn fruit switched to Apples and stopped breeding with the original group.		: '''Apple Maggot Flies''' → A modern case of speciation where flies that once ate Hawthorn fruit switched to Apples and stopped breeding with the original group.
			</div>

	== Analyzing ==		<div style="background-color: #8B4500; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
			== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Analyzing</span> ==
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	\|+ Allopatric vs. Sympatric Speciation		\|+ Allopatric vs. Sympatric Speciation
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	'''The Concept of "The Niche"''': A niche is a "job" in the ecosystem (e.g., "The bird that eats the hard seeds"). If a niche is empty, a species will rapidly split and evolve to fill it. Analyzing the "Economic Opportunity" of the environment is how we understand why some places (like Hawaii) have so many unique species.		'''The Concept of "The Niche"''': A niche is a "job" in the ecosystem (e.g., "The bird that eats the hard seeds"). If a niche is empty, a species will rapidly split and evolve to fill it. Analyzing the "Economic Opportunity" of the environment is how we understand why some places (like Hawaii) have so many unique species.
			</div>

	== Evaluating ==		<div style="background-color: #483D8B; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
			== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Evaluating</span> ==
	Evaluating a speciation theory:		Evaluating a speciation theory:
	# '''Gene Flow''': Is there any evidence that the groups are still "sneaking" off to mate with each other?		# '''Gene Flow''': Is there any evidence that the groups are still "sneaking" off to mate with each other?
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	# '''Hybrid Zones''': What happens in the "Border" where the two groups meet—do they make "Stable Hybrids" or do the hybrids die out?		# '''Hybrid Zones''': What happens in the "Border" where the two groups meet—do they make "Stable Hybrids" or do the hybrids die out?
	# '''Molecular Clock''': Does the DNA difference match the time the geographic barrier formed?		# '''Molecular Clock''': Does the DNA difference match the time the geographic barrier formed?
			</div>

	== Creating ==		<div style="background-color: #2F4F4F; color: #FFFFFF; padding: 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin-bottom: 15px;">
			== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Creating</span> ==
	Future Frontiers:		Future Frontiers:
	# '''De-Extinction''': Using DNA to "bring back" a species (like the Woolly Mammoth)—is it the same species or a new "Synthetic" one?		# '''De-Extinction''': Using DNA to "bring back" a species (like the Woolly Mammoth)—is it the same species or a new "Synthetic" one?
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	[[Category:Evolutionary Biology]]		[[Category:Evolutionary Biology]]
	[[Category:Science]]		[[Category:Science]]
			</div>

Wordpad: BloomWiki: Speciation

2026-04-23T14:38:49Z

BloomWiki: Speciation

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:38, 23 April 2026
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	== Evaluating ==		== Evaluating ==
	Evaluating a speciation theory: ~~(1)~~ '''Gene Flow''': Is there any evidence that the groups are still "sneaking" off to mate with each other? ~~(2)~~ '''Fossil Gaps''': Is the "Punctuated Equilibrium" real, or are we just missing the middle fossils? ~~(3)~~ '''Hybrid Zones''': What happens in the "Border" where the two groups meet—do they make "Stable Hybrids" or do the hybrids die out? ~~(4)~~ '''Molecular Clock''': Does the DNA difference match the time the geographic barrier formed?		Evaluating a speciation theory:
			# '''Gene Flow''': Is there any evidence that the groups are still "sneaking" off to mate with each other?
			# '''Fossil Gaps''': Is the "Punctuated Equilibrium" real, or are we just missing the middle fossils?
			# '''Hybrid Zones''': What happens in the "Border" where the two groups meet—do they make "Stable Hybrids" or do the hybrids die out?
			# '''Molecular Clock''': Does the DNA difference match the time the geographic barrier formed?

	== Creating ==		== Creating ==
	Future Frontiers: ~~(1)~~ '''De-Extinction''': Using DNA to "bring back" a species (like the Woolly Mammoth)—is it the same species or a new "Synthetic" one? ~~(2)~~ '''Speciation in the Lab''': Can we "create" a new species of fruit fly by forcing them into different environments for 500 generations? ~~(3)~~ '''Anthropogenic Speciation''': How human cities and light pollution are forcing urban birds to evolve away from their forest cousins. ~~(4)~~ '''Space Speciation''': The theoretical idea that if humans lived on Mars for 1,000 years, they would become a different species (Homo martialis).		Future Frontiers:
			# '''De-Extinction''': Using DNA to "bring back" a species (like the Woolly Mammoth)—is it the same species or a new "Synthetic" one?
			# '''Speciation in the Lab''': Can we "create" a new species of fruit fly by forcing them into different environments for 500 generations?
			# '''Anthropogenic Speciation''': How human cities and light pollution are forcing urban birds to evolve away from their forest cousins.
			# '''Space Speciation''': The theoretical idea that if humans lived on Mars for 1,000 years, they would become a different species (Homo martialis).

	[[Category:Biology]]		[[Category:Biology]]
	[[Category:Evolutionary Biology]]		[[Category:Evolutionary Biology]]
	[[Category:Science]]		[[Category:Science]]

Wordpad: BloomWiki: Speciation

2026-04-23T14:29:37Z

BloomWiki: Speciation

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:29, 23 April 2026
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	{{BloomIntro}}		{{BloomIntro}}
	Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species. It is the answer to the question: "Where does biodiversity come from?" While individual evolution is about change within a group, speciation is about the '''Splitting''' of one group into two. This happens when a population becomes "Reproductively Isolated"—meaning they can no longer mate and share genes. Over millions of years, these small splits add up, turning a single ancestor into the millions of plants, animals, and fungi we see today.		Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species. It is the answer to the question: "Where does biodiversity come from?" While individual evolution is about change ''within'' a group, speciation is about the '''Splitting''' of one group into two. This happens when a population becomes "Reproductively Isolated"—meaning they can no longer mate and share genes. Over millions of years, these small splits add up, turning a single ancestor into the millions of plants, animals, and fungi we see today.

	== Remembering ==		== Remembering ==
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	* '''Reproductive Isolation''' — Biological barriers that prevent two species from producing fertile offspring.		* '''Reproductive Isolation''' — Biological barriers that prevent two species from producing fertile offspring.
	* '''Allopatric Speciation''' — Speciation that happens when a population is physically separated by a barrier (e.g., a mountain or river).		* '''Allopatric Speciation''' — Speciation that happens when a population is physically separated by a barrier (e.g., a mountain or river).
	* '''Sympatric Speciation''' — Speciation that happens in the same geographic area (usually due to behavior or genetics).		* '''Sympatric Speciation''' — Speciation that happens in the ''same'' geographic area (usually due to behavior or genetics).
	* '''Pre-zygotic Barrier''' — A barrier that prevents mating or fertilization (e.g., different mating calls).		* '''Pre-zygotic Barrier''' — A barrier that prevents mating or fertilization (e.g., different mating calls).
	* '''Post-zygotic Barrier''' — A barrier that happens after fertilization (e.g., the offspring is sterile, like a Mule).		* '''Post-zygotic Barrier''' — A barrier that happens ''after'' fertilization (e.g., the offspring is sterile, like a Mule).
	* '''Adaptive Radiation''' — The rapid evolution of many species from a single ancestor to fill different "niches" (e.g., Darwin's Finches).		* '''Adaptive Radiation''' — The rapid evolution of many species from a single ancestor to fill different "niches" (e.g., Darwin's Finches).
	* '''Vicariance''' — The physical splitting of a population by a geographic event (e.g., a continent moving).		* '''Vicariance''' — The physical splitting of a population by a geographic event (e.g., a continent moving).

Wordpad: BloomWiki: Speciation

2026-04-23T14:23:46Z

BloomWiki: Speciation

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:23, 23 April 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{BloomIntro}}		{{BloomIntro}}
	Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species. It is the answer to the question: "Where does biodiversity come from?" While individual evolution is about change within a group, speciation is about the Splitting of one group into two. This happens when a population becomes "Reproductively Isolated"—meaning they can no longer mate and share genes. Over millions of years, these small splits add up, turning a single ancestor into the millions of plants, animals, and fungi we see today.		Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species. It is the answer to the question: "Where does biodiversity come from?" While individual evolution is about change within a group, speciation is about the '''Splitting''' of one group into two. This happens when a population becomes "Reproductively Isolated"—meaning they can no longer mate and share genes. Over millions of years, these small splits add up, turning a single ancestor into the millions of plants, animals, and fungi we see today.

	== Remembering ==		== Remembering ==
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	== Understanding ==		== Understanding ==
	Speciation is understood through the Barriers to Breeding.		Speciation is understood through the '''Barriers to Breeding'''.

	1. The Geography of Splitting (Allopatric):		'''1. The Geography of Splitting (Allopatric)''':
	This is the most common type.		This is the most common type.
	* A group of beetles lives in a forest.		* A group of beetles lives in a forest.
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	* The beetles on the East side evolve to be green (camouflage).		* The beetles on the East side evolve to be green (camouflage).
	* The beetles on the West side evolve to be brown.		* The beetles on the West side evolve to be brown.
	* 10,000 years later, the river dries up. The beetles meet—but they have changed so much they no longer recognize each other as mates. One species has become two.		* 10,000 years later, the river dries up. The beetles meet—but they have changed so much they no longer recognize each other as mates. '''One species has become two.'''

	2. The Logic of Isolation:		'''2. The Logic of Isolation''':
	Why don't they breed?		Why don't they breed?
	* Temporal: One group mates in the Spring, the other in the Fall.		* '''Temporal''': One group mates in the Spring, the other in the Fall.
	* Behavioral: One group likes a specific "Dance," the other doesn't.		* '''Behavioral''': One group likes a specific "Dance," the other doesn't.
	* Mechanical: The "Parts" no longer fit together.		* '''Mechanical''': The "Parts" no longer fit together.

	3. The Rate of Change:		'''3. The Rate of Change''':
	* Gradualism: Small changes add up (Think of a ramp).		* '''Gradualism''': Small changes add up (Think of a ramp).
	* Punctuated Equilibrium: Long periods of "No Change" followed by a "Sudden Jump" (Think of a staircase). This often happens when the environment changes rapidly (like an Ice Age).		* '''Punctuated Equilibrium''': Long periods of "No Change" followed by a "Sudden Jump" (Think of a staircase). This often happens when the environment changes rapidly (like an Ice Age).

	The Biological Species Concept: This is the most popular definition—if two things can't have "fertile" babies, they are different species. A Lion and a Tiger can have a "Liger," but the Liger is sterile. Therefore, Lions and Tigers are different species.		'''The Biological Species Concept''': This is the most popular definition—if two things can't have "fertile" babies, they are different species. A Lion and a Tiger can have a "Liger," but the Liger is sterile. Therefore, Lions and Tigers are different species.

	== Applying ==		== Applying ==
Line 80:		Line 80:
	\|}		\|}

	The Concept of "The Niche": A niche is a "job" in the ecosystem (e.g., "The bird that eats the hard seeds"). If a niche is empty, a species will rapidly split and evolve to fill it. Analyzing the "Economic Opportunity" of the environment is how we understand why some places (like Hawaii) have so many unique species.		'''The Concept of "The Niche"''': A niche is a "job" in the ecosystem (e.g., "The bird that eats the hard seeds"). If a niche is empty, a species will rapidly split and evolve to fill it. Analyzing the "Economic Opportunity" of the environment is how we understand why some places (like Hawaii) have so many unique species.

	== Evaluating ==		== Evaluating ==
	Evaluating a speciation theory: (1) Gene Flow: Is there any evidence that the groups are still "sneaking" off to mate with each other? (2) Fossil Gaps: Is the "Punctuated Equilibrium" real, or are we just missing the middle fossils? (3) Hybrid Zones: What happens in the "Border" where the two groups meet—do they make "Stable Hybrids" or do the hybrids die out? (4) Molecular Clock: Does the DNA difference match the time the geographic barrier formed?		Evaluating a speciation theory: (1) '''Gene Flow''': Is there any evidence that the groups are still "sneaking" off to mate with each other? (2) '''Fossil Gaps''': Is the "Punctuated Equilibrium" real, or are we just missing the middle fossils? (3) '''Hybrid Zones''': What happens in the "Border" where the two groups meet—do they make "Stable Hybrids" or do the hybrids die out? (4) '''Molecular Clock''': Does the DNA difference match the time the geographic barrier formed?

	== Creating ==		== Creating ==
	Future Frontiers: (1) De-Extinction: Using DNA to "bring back" a species (like the Woolly Mammoth)—is it the same species or a new "Synthetic" one? (2) Speciation in the Lab: Can we "create" a new species of fruit fly by forcing them into different environments for 500 generations? (3) Anthropogenic Speciation: How human cities and light pollution are forcing urban birds to evolve away from their forest cousins. (4) Space Speciation: The theoretical idea that if humans lived on Mars for 1,000 years, they would become a different species (Homo martialis).		Future Frontiers: (1) '''De-Extinction''': Using DNA to "bring back" a species (like the Woolly Mammoth)—is it the same species or a new "Synthetic" one? (2) '''Speciation in the Lab''': Can we "create" a new species of fruit fly by forcing them into different environments for 500 generations? (3) '''Anthropogenic Speciation''': How human cities and light pollution are forcing urban birds to evolve away from their forest cousins. (4) '''Space Speciation''': The theoretical idea that if humans lived on Mars for 1,000 years, they would become a different species (Homo martialis).

	[[Category:Biology]]		[[Category:Biology]]
	[[Category:Evolutionary Biology]]		[[Category:Evolutionary Biology]]
	[[Category:Science]]		[[Category:Science]]

Wordpad: BloomWiki: Speciation

2026-04-23T14:01:43Z

BloomWiki: Speciation

New page

{{BloomIntro}}
Speciation is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species. It is the answer to the question: "Where does biodiversity come from?" While individual evolution is about change *within* a group, speciation is about the **Splitting** of one group into two. This happens when a population becomes "Reproductively Isolated"—meaning they can no longer mate and share genes. Over millions of years, these small splits add up, turning a single ancestor into the millions of plants, animals, and fungi we see today.

== Remembering ==
* '''Speciation''' — The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
* '''Species''' — A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.
* '''Reproductive Isolation''' — Biological barriers that prevent two species from producing fertile offspring.
* '''Allopatric Speciation''' — Speciation that happens when a population is physically separated by a barrier (e.g., a mountain or river).
* '''Sympatric Speciation''' — Speciation that happens in the *same* geographic area (usually due to behavior or genetics).
* '''Pre-zygotic Barrier''' — A barrier that prevents mating or fertilization (e.g., different mating calls).
* '''Post-zygotic Barrier''' — A barrier that happens *after* fertilization (e.g., the offspring is sterile, like a Mule).
* '''Adaptive Radiation''' — The rapid evolution of many species from a single ancestor to fill different "niches" (e.g., Darwin's Finches).
* '''Vicariance''' — The physical splitting of a population by a geographic event (e.g., a continent moving).
* '''Polyploidy''' — A genetic mutation (common in plants) where an offspring has extra sets of chromosomes, making it instantly a new species.
* '''Gradualism''' — The idea that speciation happens slowly and steadily over millions of years.
* '''Punctuated Equilibrium''' — The idea that species stay the same for a long time and then change very rapidly during "explosions" of speciation.

== Understanding ==
Speciation is understood through the **Barriers to Breeding**.

**1. The Geography of Splitting (Allopatric)**:
This is the most common type.
* A group of beetles lives in a forest.
* A river changes course and splits the forest in two.
* The beetles on the East side evolve to be green (camouflage).
* The beetles on the West side evolve to be brown.
* 10,000 years later, the river dries up. The beetles meet—but they have changed so much they no longer recognize each other as mates. **One species has become two.**

**2. The Logic of Isolation**:
Why don't they breed?
* **Temporal**: One group mates in the Spring, the other in the Fall.
* **Behavioral**: One group likes a specific "Dance," the other doesn't.
* **Mechanical**: The "Parts" no longer fit together.

**3. The Rate of Change**:
* **Gradualism**: Small changes add up (Think of a ramp).
* **Punctuated Equilibrium**: Long periods of "No Change" followed by a "Sudden Jump" (Think of a staircase). This often happens when the environment changes rapidly (like an Ice Age).

**The Biological Species Concept**: This is the most popular definition—if two things can't have "fertile" babies, they are different species. A Lion and a Tiger can have a "Liger," but the Liger is sterile. Therefore, Lions and Tigers are different species.

== Applying ==
'''Modeling 'The Splitting Point' (Genetic Distance):'''
<syntaxhighlight lang="python">
def check_speciation_status(genetic_difference_percent):
"""
Shows how 'Similarity' determines species status.
"""
if genetic_difference_percent < 0.5:
return "SAME SPECIES: Minor variations only."
elif genetic_difference_percent < 2.0:
return "SUBSPECIES: Can still interbreed, but distinct."
else:
return "NEW SPECIES: Reproductive isolation achieved."

# Chimps vs Humans are ~1.2% - 4.0% different (depending on the measure)
print(f"Status (1.5% diff): {check_speciation_status(1.5)}")
print(f"Status (3.0% diff): {check_speciation_status(3.0)}")
# This 'Distance' is what phylogenetics measures to
# build the Tree of Life.
</syntaxhighlight>

; Speciation Landmarks
: '''The Grand Canyon Squirrels''' → The Kaibab and Abert squirrels were separated by the canyon; they are now distinct species.
: '''Cichlid Fish in Lake Victoria''' → Hundreds of species evolved in a single lake in just 15,000 years through "Sympatric" speciation.
: '''The Isthmus of Panama''' → When the bridge of land formed 3 million years ago, it separated fish in the Atlantic and Pacific, leading to many new "Sister Species."
: '''Apple Maggot Flies''' → A modern case of speciation where flies that once ate Hawthorn fruit switched to Apples and stopped breeding with the original group.

== Analyzing ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Allopatric vs. Sympatric Speciation
! Feature !! Allopatric (Different Place) !! Sympatric (Same Place)
|-
| Cause || Geographic Barrier || Behavioral / Genetic Change
|-
| Frequency || Very Common || Less Common (mostly in plants/insects)
|-
| Speed || Usually slow (thousands of years) || Can be instant (via Polyploidy)
|-
| Analogy || Two friends moving to different cities || Two friends in the same city joining different cults
|}

**The Concept of "The Niche"**: A niche is a "job" in the ecosystem (e.g., "The bird that eats the hard seeds"). If a niche is empty, a species will rapidly split and evolve to fill it. Analyzing the "Economic Opportunity" of the environment is how we understand why some places (like Hawaii) have so many unique species.

== Evaluating ==
Evaluating a speciation theory: (1) **Gene Flow**: Is there any evidence that the groups are still "sneaking" off to mate with each other? (2) **Fossil Gaps**: Is the "Punctuated Equilibrium" real, or are we just missing the middle fossils? (3) **Hybrid Zones**: What happens in the "Border" where the two groups meet—do they make "Stable Hybrids" or do the hybrids die out? (4) **Molecular Clock**: Does the DNA difference match the time the geographic barrier formed?

== Creating ==
Future Frontiers: (1) **De-Extinction**: Using DNA to "bring back" a species (like the Woolly Mammoth)—is it the same species or a new "Synthetic" one? (2) **Speciation in the Lab**: Can we "create" a new species of fruit fly by forcing them into different environments for 500 generations? (3) **Anthropogenic Speciation**: How human cities and light pollution are forcing urban birds to evolve away from their forest cousins. (4) **Space Speciation**: The theoretical idea that if humans lived on Mars for 1,000 years, they would become a different species (Homo martialis).

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Evolutionary Biology]]
[[Category:Science]]