Twin species
Twin species ( English Sibling species ) are closely related and morphologically externally very similar sister species , which often colonize the same area ( sympatry ), but are reproductively isolated from each other ; ie no or no fertile offspring are produced between individuals of these species . Species that are similar not only strong, but are outwardly identical, are scientifically as cryptic species complex ( English Cryptic species referred).
For example, the fever mosquitoes ( Anopheles gambiae ) are now divided into six types of twins, which, although they cannot be distinguished morphologically, differ in the type of blood-donating hosts or in terms of the egg-laying substrates ( fresh water or brackish water ). Although the six fever mosquito species occur over a large area in the same distribution area, they visit different habitats during the breeding season and are thus spatially isolated from one another. Other well-known examples of twin species from the local animal world are the songbirds Fitis and Chiffchaff, as well as the treecreeper and treecreeper . Here, despite being closely related, the species are reproductively isolated from one another by different acoustic signals.
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ Ernst Mayr : That is evolution (= Goldmann 15349). Paperback edition. Goldmann, Munich 2005, ISBN 3-442-15349-2 , p. 208.
- ^ Rüdiger Wehner , Walter Gehring : Zoologie. 24th completely revised edition. Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart u. a. 2007, ISBN 978-3-13-772724-8 , p. 651.