BioConcepts

sympatricsympatrique (fr.); sympatrisch (ger.)

• Occurring in the same geographical region, or in overlapping regions. (OED 1989)
  category species

  1903

  Forms found together in certain geographical areas and not in other areas. Such groups may be called Sympatric.

  Poulton, E.B. (1903). What is a species? Proc. Roy. Entomol. Soc. Lond., xc.

  1942

  Two forms or species are sympatric, if they occur together, that is if their areas of distribution overlap or coincide.

  Mayr, E. (1942). Systematics and the Origin of Species: 148f.

  1982

  sympatric Used of populations, species or taxa occurring together in the same geographical area; the populations may occupy the same habitat (biotic sympatry) or different habitats (neighbouring sympatry) within the same geographical area; sympatry; cf. allopatric, dichopatric, parapatric.

  Lincoln, R.J., Boxshall, G.A. & Clark, P.F. (1982). A Dictionary of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics: 241.