Visualizing the Origin of Species

Variation in populations of organisms arise through mutation and sexual reproduction. The processes of natural selection and genetic drift sort out this variation in the context of geographic space and its dynamics of continental drift, volcanic islands, climatic shifts, migrations.

In this way, organisms end up tracing paths through both time & space during evolution, transforming in pace with the landscape they find themselves in.

The title of this small video piece, "Allo-sympatric" refers to the cohabitation (sympatry) and mutual isolation (allopatry), of different populations relative to geography. This in turn leads to differences in their evolutionary trajectories and further still to the creation of new species.

This piece was shown at "Endless Forms: Engaging Evolution" at the Work Gallery, Ann Arbor, Michigan in 3/06.