Speciation is the process by which new species evolve from existing species. It occurs when populations of a species become isolated and develop unique traits that make them reproductively incompatible with the original population. This can happen through various mechanisms such as geographical isolation, ecological isolation, or reproductive isolation.
There are several mechanisms that can lead to speciation:
Speciation can be inferred from various lines of evidence, including:
Speciation is crucial for biodiversity as it leads to the creation of new species with unique traits and adaptations. It also plays a key role in the long-term evolution of life on Earth.
To understand speciation, consider the following study points: