Allopatric Speciation
The evolution of new species from populations that are geographically isolated from each other. The most common form of speciation, where physical barriers prevent gene flow.
Biological Context
Darwin's finches evolved from a single ancestor after geographic isolation on different Galápagos islands. The Grand Canyon separated squirrel populations that evolved into distinct species. Allopatric speciation requires geographic barriers that persist long enough for reproductive isolation to develop.
Business Application
Markets can create allopatric speciation conditions: regulatory barriers, language differences, or infrastructure gaps isolate company populations that then evolve differently. Chinese tech companies evolved differently from Western counterparts due to regulatory separation.