Derived species refer to new species that have evolved from an ancestral species, often through processes such as natural selection, genetic drift, or speciation events. These species exhibit distinct traits that have adapted to their specific environments, differentiating them from their ancestors.

Derived Species

Derived species

new species

Ancestral species refer to the original species from which other species have evolved through the process of natural selection and genetic mutation over time. Understanding ancestral species is crucial for reconstructing phylogenetic trees and studying evolutionary biology to trace the lineage and diversification of life on Earth.

ancestral species

Natural selection is a fundamental mechanism of evolution where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. This process leads to the gradual adaptation of species to their environments over successive generations, driving the diversity of life on Earth.

natural selection

Genetic drift is a mechanism of evolution that results in random changes in allele frequencies within a population, often having a more pronounced effect in small populations. It can lead to the fixation or loss of alleles over time, independent of selective pressures, thus contributing to genetic diversity or homogeneity.

genetic drift

speciation events

distinct traits

specific environments

Differentiating traits

Evolutionary processes refer to the mechanisms that drive changes in the genetic composition of populations over time, leading to the diversity of life observed today. These processes include natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow, each contributing to the adaptation and evolution of species in response to environmental pressures.

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