What is speciation?

Speciation refers to the process through which new and distinct species arise from existing ones over the course of evolutionary time. This typically occurs when populations of a species become isolated from one another, leading to genetic divergence due to factors such as natural selection, genetic drift, or mutation. As these populations evolve independently, they may develop unique characteristics that prevent them from interbreeding even if they come into contact again, ultimately forming two separate species.

Understanding speciation is crucial because it explains how biodiversity evolves and how different species adapt to various ecological niches. This process is a fundamental aspect of evolutionary biology and underpins the diversity of life observed on Earth today. It is distinct from other concepts like adaptation, migration, or extinction, which describe different biological phenomena but do not encompass the emergence of new species.