Divergent Evolution
분기진화
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<speciesfyi-glossary slug="divergent-evolution"></speciesfyi-glossary>Definition
The accumulation of differences between closely related populations, often leading to new species.
Detailed Explanation
Divergent evolution typically begins when populations become geographically or ecologically isolated, after which selection and drift push them in different directions. Darwin's finches are a classic example: one ancestral colonist diverged into over a dozen species with specialized bills for seeds, insects, or nectar. Divergence also occurs within the same area when selection favors different ecological roles, as in sympatric cichlid radiations.