Sympatric Divergence

Speciation as a science is still in the theoretical stages because of the difficulty in observing its processes.

Most research done up to about the 1950s has concentrated on the analysis of natural species population patterns, formulating a hypothesis of speciation events consistent with known genetic facts and theories, and then testing the hypothesis through its predictability of specific patterns not yet observed.

More recently, work has included mathematical modeling, computer Simulations, and laboratory experiments.

In light of this more recent work, evidence has accumulated in support of a sympatric speciation theory in addition to the generally accepted theory of geographic speciation.