Lord Howe Island - Simulated Speciation

Speciation occurs when part of a population is reproductively isolated from the rest of the population (e.g. they do not interbreed), and over time become genetically unique. Their genetics become so different to the original population that if the two populations were reintroduced they either would not mate, or if they did, they would not produce viable offspring.

Lord Howe Island is one of few places where evidence of both allopatric and sympatric speciation has been found. Evidence for sympatric speciation can be more difficult to find, but has been documented on Lord Howe Island in two species of Howea palm, Howea Belmoreana and Howea Forsteriana.

In this fascinating, engaging biology lesson, students are guided through a model of speciation, taking an ancient flora or fauna from mainland Australia and thinking critically and creatively to apply selection pressures from a new environment and predict what traits will be magnified over many generations.