While scientists have catalogued millions and millions of species, there is still no agreement on how exactly new species form. However, a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences could deal a major blow to one prevailing theory – namely, that new species arise when a barrier prevents reproduction between populations.
Researchers posited that if genetic barriers to reproduction can cause a new species to arise, then groups of organisms that are prone to accumulate those genes should also exhibit high rates of species formation.
They tested that theory and found no evidence that the rate at which genetic reproductive barriers arise predicts the rate of speciation.
Read the full, original story here: Mating Barrier Theory Of Speciation Called Into Question
