Final answer:
Genetic variations contribute to the survival of species during environmental migration by promoting the development of adaptations. Those with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on these traits to the next generation. This process leads to a genetic predisposition in a population that is better suited to the new environmental conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genetic variations play a crucial role in the survival of species during migration from one type of environment to another. A heritable trait that aids in the survival and reproduction of an organism in its current environment is known as an adaptation. Over time, as organisms face various environmental challenges, these adaptations become more common within the population, increasing the overall fitness of the population to the new conditions.
For example, in the case of a species migrating between different environments, those individuals with genetic traits that allow them to better withstand the new conditions are more likely to survive and reproduce. These traits might include behaviors such as long-distance migration, physiological changes such as a development of webbed feet for swimming or thick fur for cold weather, or anatomical features such as giraffes' long necks for reaching high leaves. The offspring inherit these advantageous traits, leading to a predominance of these characteristics in future generations. This also illustrates how genetic inheritance can lead to selection for migration, where traits conducive to successful migration become more common.
An understanding of genetic inheritance has also helped scientists to recognize the migration patterns of species, such as ancient dogs, which may interbreed with other species like wolves or be selectively bred by humans for certain traits, further increasing genetic diversity. Another case could be a butterfly that inherits the genetic predisposition for long-distance migration from its ancestors, leading to the survival of the species in new locations. Lastly, internal fertilization can lead to more genetic variations, which in turn increases the survival rates of offspring.