Answer to Question #59478 in Evolution for Sanjukta Ghosh

Question

What is Stasipatric speciation?

Answer 1

Stasipatric speciation is a hypothetical form of speciation, based on the spontaneous emergence of chromosomal races (due to chromosome aberrations and rearrangements in the homozygous state), which turn out to be reproductively isolated because of postcopulatory isolation mechanisms. Stasipatric speciation is assumed for some mammals (bats, mole rats). It may be considered as a special case of sympatric speciation. A classic example of stasipatric speciation is the formation of polyploid forms in plants.