sym·pat·ric (s m-p t rk)adj. Ecology Occupying the same or overlapping geographic areas without interbreeding. Used of populations of closely related species. sym·pat ri·cal·ly adv. |
, fatherland (from pat
r, patr-, father; see p
ter- in Indo-European roots) + sympatric [sɪmˈpætrɪk]
adj
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) (of biological speciation or species) taking place or existing in the same or overlapping geographical areas Compare allopatric
[from syn- + -patric, from Greek patra native land, from patēr father]
sympatrically adv
| sympatric (sm-ptrk) Ecology Occupying the same or overlapping geographic areas without interbreeding. Although they share the same geographic range, sympatric populations of related organisms become isolated from each other reproductively. This can happen by the development of subpopulations that become dependent on distinct food sources or that evolve distinct seasonal mating behavior. Flowering plants frequently become reproductively isolated through the development of polyploid hybrids (hybrids with three or more sets of chromosomes) that cannot backcross with either parent.  The development of new species as a result of the reproductive isolation of populations that share the same geographic range is called sympatric speciation. Compare allopatric. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. | sympatric - (of biological species or speciation) occurring in the same or overlapping geographical areas biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms allopatric - (of biological species or speciation) occurring in areas isolated geographically from one another |
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