“βππ₯πππ£ π₯πππ πππππππ ππ¦π€π₯ ππ€π πππ₯ππ ‘ππππ πππ ππ€πππππ€’ π π πππππ₯ππ πππ§ππ£πππππ, π¨π πππ€π₯πππ πππ€ππ π§ππ£ππ ‘ππ ππ₯πππππ₯π€’ π π πππ§ππ£πππππ ππππ ππ‘ππ€π€πππ πππ£ππ π€π¨ππ₯ππ€ π π π₯ππ ππππ ππ.” - Professor Jeffrey L. Feder 𧬠Speciation; the origin of new species remains a central puzzle in evolutionary biology. With advances in genomics, we can now highlight genomic islands of speciation: distinct regions where genetic divergence accumulates, shaping reproductive isolation and adaptation. These genomic “hotspots” reveal how evolution partitions the genome to drive biodiversity. πΉ What are genomic islands? They are regions showing disproportionate genetic differentiation compared to the genomic background. Often shaped by selective pressure, drift, or hybridization, these islands typically harbor genes linked to ecological adaptation or reproductive barriers. For...