Sexual reproduction between two populations reduces the genetic distance between the populations. During the Age of Discovery which began in the early 15th century, European explorers sailed all across the globe reaching all the major continents. In the process they came into contact with many populations that had been isolated for thousands of years. The Tasmanian Aboriginals were one of the most isolated groups on the planet. Many died from disease and conflict, but a number of their descendants survive today as multiracial people of Tasmanian and European descent. This is an example of how modern migrations may reduce the genetic divergence of the human species, which would usually lead to speciation.
sExuAl ReprODUctIon BEtween tWO popUlATIons rEDUcES tHe GeneTic DIStaNce bETween thE pOPuLatIoNs. duRiNG tHe age of discoveRy WHiCH BEgAn in the eaRLy 15TH cenTURY, eUroPEAn explorers sailed ALL ACrOsS the gloBe reaching ALl the Major COnTineNTs. IN tHe pRocess they cAme inTo contact with mANy poPuLatIons that Had Been IsOlateD foR tHOusanDs Of years. The tAsmaNian aBOriginalS were oNe oF the moST ISolated gRouPs on The pLanet. Many Died froM disEaSe and confLiCT, BUt A NuMBEr of thEIr deScendAntS surVIvE ToDay as mUltiracial peopLE OF taSMaNian aND EUropeaN Descent. tHiS is An EXampLe oF How MODErn MigraTiOnS May reduce tHe genETiC dIverGenCe of the human SpeCiEs, whicH wOuld USUAlly lead to SpeCiatiON.