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allopatric

[ al-uh-pa-trik ]

adjective

, Biology, Ecology.
  1. originating in or occupying different geographical areas.


allopatric

/ ˌæləˈpætrɪk /

adjective

  1. (of biological speciation or species) taking place or existing in areas that are geographically separated from one another Compare sympatric


allopatric

/ ăl′ə-pătrĭk /

  1. Occurring in separate, nonoverlapping geographic areas. Allopatric populations of related organisms are unable to interbreed because of geographic separation.
  2. ◆ The development of new species as a result of the geographic separation of populations is called allopatric speciation .
  3. Compare sympatric


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Derived Forms

  • ˌalloˈpatrically, adverb

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Other Words From

  • allo·patri·cal·ly adverb
  • al·lop·a·try [uh, -, lop, -, uh, -tree], noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of allopatric1

1940–45; allo- + Greek patr ( ía ) fatherland ( patḗr father + -ia noun suffix) + -ic

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Word History and Origins

Origin of allopatric1

C20: from allo- + -patric, from Greek patris native land

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Compare Meanings

How does allopatric compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Probably the geographic range of the geomyines was largely allopatric to that of the more specialized entoptychines.

Where the two species are allopatric, these same morphological characters differ least.

Although allopatric, similar arguments could be advanced for the morphologically similar pallidus and teretistes.

The majority of the species are allopatric and differ primarily in color patterns.

I have therefore recognized all morphologically distinct allopatric populations as species.

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petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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