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Definition of "vicariance" []

  • Biology The separation or division of a group of organisms by a geographic barrier, such as a mountain or a body of water, resulting in differentiation of the original group into new varieties or species. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "vicariance" in a sentence
  • "Another phenomenon of biological interest in this ecoregion is vicariance, due to the polar distribution between the west and east of the country."
  • "Another interesting biological phenomenon in this ecoregion is vicariance, due to the polar distribution between the west and east of the country."
  • "These forests have many taxons that show a geographic vicariance with the pine trees in the western part of the country."