vicariant

/ vɪˈkɛərɪənt, vaɪ- /

noun

1. any of several closely related species, races, etc, each of which exists in a separate geographical area: assumed to have originated from a single population that became dispersed by geological events

Derived Forms

• viˈcariance, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicariant¹

C20: from Latin vicārius (see vicar ) + -ant

Example Sentences

Unlike maize and sorghum, however, and give rise to fertile hybrids, consistent with the vicariant hypothesis for phylogeographical divergence, in which geographically isolated species are under no selective pressure to evolve reproductive isolation.

From Nature