Cladogenesis and anagenesis

Question

What happens during cladogenesis that results in the generation of new species, and how is this distinct from anagenic conversion of one species into another? Why is it impractical to use the biological species concept to determine whether anagenesis has caused speciation? Provide an example of an evolutionary process that could lead to cladogenesis.

Answer 1

Cladogenesis is when one species splits into two species, creating a separate clade, whereas anagenesis is when one species evolves as to become as different species. The biological species concept is that a species is defined by members of the group that are able to reproduce with each other. In cladogenesis when two separate subgroups have arisen, it would be possible to compare the two subgroups and determine that there is a barrier to reproduction, meaning that there are now two separate species. For anagenesis, even with evolutionary change there would only be one singular species, with members that are all reproductively compatible with each other.