Q.How does allopatric species differ from sympatric species ?

Allopatric speciation occurs through geographic isolation of populations, while sympatric speciation occurs within the same area without physical separation.

Allopatric species:

• Formed when a species' population is split by a geographical barrier — such as a mountain range, river, ocean, or large distance.
• The separated populations no longer interbreed (no gene flow) and independently accumulate genetic changes through mutation, natural selection, and genetic drift.
• Over time, the accumulated differences become great enough that the populations can no longer interbreed even if they were to meet again, resulting in the formation of new, distinct species.
• Example concept: Darwin's finches on different Galápagos islands.

Sympatric species:

• Arise from a single population living in the same geographic area, without any physical barrier separating them.
• Reproductive isolation develops due to other factors, such as:
  • Habitat isolation (preferring different micro-habitats or hosts within the same area).
  • Temporal isolation (different breeding seasons/times). …