Neoendemism

Neoendemism is one of two sub-categories of endemism, the ecological state of a species being unique to a defined geographic location. Neoendemic species have recently arisen, through divergence and reproductive isolation or through hybridization and polyploidy in plants. Paleoendemism, the other sub-category, refers to species that were formerly widespread but are now restricted to a smaller area.

"Darwin's finches", residents of the Galápagos Islands, are used as an example of how the descendants of one ancestor can evolve through adaptive radiation into several species as they adapt to different conditions on various islands. The Galápagos archipelago is also the home of paleoendemic species.