Vicariance (from Latin vicarius, derived from vicis; change, alternation, stead) is a process by which the geographical range of an individual taxon, or a whole biota, is split into discontinuous parts by the formation of a physical or biotic barrier to gene flow or dispersal.

Vicariance (from Latin vicarius, derived from vicis; change, alternation, stead) is a process by which the geographical range of an individual taxon, or a whole biota, is split into discontinuous parts by the formation of a physical or biotic barrier to gene flow or dispersal.