Question

Explain the process of evolution through isolation that results in speciation.

Answer 1

Specialization. Specialization is the evolutionary process by which biological populations evolve to become distinct species. The biologist Orator F. Cook coined the term 'specialization' in 1906 for the splitting of lineages or "cladogenesis", as opposed to "anagenesis" or "phonetic evolution" within lineages.

Answer 2

Evolution is a natural phenomenon by which inheritable characteristics of a species change over generations.

It mainly relies on processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, migration, and mutation.

Heredity, genetic variation, and differential reproduction result in evolution with the help of natural selection.

Isolation (geographical or reproductive) prevent the flow of genetic material between the populations. With time, the populations evolved in different species as a result of adaptation towards different habitat or niche (natural selection).

For example, in Galapagos islands finches were isolated through different islands. The flow of genetic material was restricted. In addition, natural selection helped different populations to adapt different characters as an adaptation towards different food resources.

As a result, different populations evolved into different species with varied body size, beak shape, and feeding behavior.