Rate of Speciation

Definition

The rate of speciation is the speed at which new species evolve from a single ancestral species.

Analogy

Think of speciation as a tree growing branches. The more quickly branches sprout and grow (speciate), the faster the overall tree expands. Similarly, the faster organisms diversify into new species, the quicker biodiversity increases.

Related terms

Evolution: The process by which different kinds of living organisms develop and diversify from earlier forms during the history of Earth.

Natural Selection: A natural process resulting in the evolution of organisms best adapted to their environment.

Genetic Drift: Variation in relative frequency of different genotypes in a small population due to chance disappearance or appearance of particular genes.