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When a colony of plants or animals breeds in isolation,
they may develop characteristics different from the parent
stock. Over time, these differences can become so great
that the isolated colony cannot breed with the parent stock.
A new species has evolved.
Isolated by geography
Isolated from mainland populations by 160 km of water, these
species have developed unique characteristics. The leaves
of Sable's variety of the Grass-pink Orchid are more oblong
than leaves of its parent stock on the mainland.
Calopogon
tuberosus var. latifolius
This variety of rush is found
only on Sable Island.
Females of
this moth have no wings, which helps isolate the Tussock
Moth from mainland populations. Over time, Sable's moths
have become darker, more orange and less distinctly marked
than the parent stock.
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White-marked
Tussock moth
Orgyia leucostigma sablensis
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Sable
Island
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mainland
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egg
mass
wingless
female
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