polytopism

views updated May 23 2018

polytopism (polytopic evolution) A taxonomic anomaly in which a (usually infraspecific) taxon occurs in more than one place. It may indicate that a more derived subspecies or species has evolved in an intervening area, or that parallel evolution has occurred to make the two or more separated populations appear alike.

polytopism

views updated May 18 2018

polytopism (polytopic evolution) A type of monophyletism in which a new (polytopic) taxon arises in more than one place from conspecific parents. The chances of this happening simultaneously, except perhaps in the case of subspecies, in each instance are remote; polytopic species may therefore be regarded also as polychronic species.

polytopism

views updated May 17 2018

polytopism(polytopic evolution) A type of monophyletism (see monophyletic) in which a new (polytopic) taxon arises in more than one place from conspecific parents. The chances of this happening simultaneously in each instance, except perhaps in the case of subspecies, are remote; polytopic species may therefore be regarded also as polychronic species.

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