Instantaneous speciation through polyploidy refers to the formation of a new species in a single generation through polyploidy, which is the multiplication of the normal chromosome number. Polyploidy is common in plants and can result in autopolyploidy, with multiple chromosome sets from the same species, or allopolyploidy, with multiple sets from different species. While rare in animals, polyploidy occurs more often in parthenogenetic groups and has led to species like the tetraploid African clawed frog. It is an important mechanism of speciation and plant evolution, with many agricultural crops like wheat and cotton being polyploid.

2. PRESENTATION TOPIC:-
Instantaneous
Speciation Through
Polyploidy
BY:
ATTIA REHMAN

3. INSTANTANEOUS SPECIATION THROUGH POLYPLOIDY:
INSTATANEOUS SPECIATION:
Introduction:
The process of instantaneous speciation may be defined as:
the production of a single
individual (or the offspring of a single mating) that is
reproductively isolated from the species to which the
parental stock belongs and that is reproductively and
ecologically capable of establishing a new species
population.

4. INSTANTANEOUSSPECIATIONTHROUGH POLYPLOIDY:
Instantaneous speciation is a special type of sympatric speciation which occurs by polyploidy ( containing
3 or more sets of homologous chromosomes) .
This results in a new species being formed in one generation. It is the common origin of new species in
plants. Many polyploids show increased vigour and have ability to cope better with extreme climatic
conditions. Polyploids may multiply/reproduce only asexually.

5. INSTANTANEOUS SPECIATION THROUGHPOLYPLOIDY:
Polyploidy:
Polyploidy is the type of genetic mutation that occurs when an organism has more than two sets of
chromosomes. It is a multiplication of the normal chromosome number which can result in instantaneous
speciation. In short, it creates new specie in a single generation.
TYPES OF POLYPLOIDY:
There are two main types of polyploidy:
 Autopolyploidy ( when an organism have multiple sets of chromosomes within the same species )
 Allopolyploidy ( when an organism have multiple sets of chromosomes from different species )

6. INSTANTANEOUSSPECIATIONTHROUGH POLYPLOIDY:
Occurrence:
IN PLANTS:
It is very widespread among plants and is an important mechanism of speciation in the plant kingdom.
This is because plants can often tolerate having multiple set of chromosomes and can still reproduce
successfully.
Except conifers, one-third of all species of plants have arisen by polyploidy.

7. INSTANTANEOUS SPECIATIONTHROUGH POLYPLOIDY:
In Animals:
In animals, polyploidy is much rarer and is usually lethal, resulting in embryonic death or developmental
abnormalities.
Among animals it occurs only in those groups which reproduce parthenogenetically. In few
parthenogenetically reproducing animal groups such as lumbricid earthworms, turbellarians and in certain
groups of weevils polyploidy is the principle method of speciation. However, there are some examples of
polyploid animals that are successfully adapted to their polyploidy state and formed new species.
FOR EXAMPLE:
The African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) is a tetraploid species.

8. IMPORTANCE:
Polyploidy is important mechanism for plant evolution. Many of the crops we rely on, such as wheat and
cotton, are polyploidy. Polyploid plants often have larger cells and organs, which can lead to increased
productivity. FOR EXAMPLE: Tetraploid wheat has larger seeds than diploid wheat, which can lead to
higher yield.