allopatric

American  

[al-uh-pa-trik] / ˌæl əˈpæ trɪk /

adjective

Biology, Ecology.

1. originating in or occupying different geographical areas.

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allopatric British  

/ ˌæləˈpætrɪk /

adjective

1. (of biological speciation or species) taking place or existing in areas that are geographically separated from one another Compare sympatric

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allopatric Scientific  

/ ăl′ə-păt′rĭk /

1. Occurring in separate, nonoverlapping geographic areas. Allopatric populations of related organisms are unable to interbreed because of geographic separation.

2. ◆ The development of new species as a result of the geographic separation of populations is called allopatric speciation.

3. Compare sympatric

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Other Word Forms

• allopatrically adverb
• allopatry noun

Etymology

Origin of allopatric

1940–45; allo- + Greek patr ( ía ) fatherland ( patḗr father + -ia noun suffix) + -ic

Compare meaning

How does allopatric compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• allopatric vs. sympatric

Example Sentences

Which situation would most likely lead to allopatric speciation?

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The students suggested these factors: natural selection, morphological mutations, punctuated equilibrium and allopatric speciation.

From Washington Post • Feb. 20, 2022

Perhaps the title should have something to do with allopatric speciation as well as just the numbers of the pigeons.

From New York Times • Nov. 16, 2017

One leads to allopatric speciation, whereas the other leads to sympatric speciation.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

The ranges of R. gracilis and R. mexicanus are allopatric except in southern Guatemala where the ranges overlap.

From Records of Harvest Mice, Reithrodontomys, from Central America, with Description of a New Subspecies from Nicaragua by Anderson, Sydney