The origin of new species can be attributed to the process of natural selection. Natural selection is a process by which individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, thus passing on those traits to their offspring. Over time, the process of natural selection can lead to the evolution of new species.
The process of natural selection is driven by the environment, as it is only able to act on those characteristics that have a direct impact on reproductive success. This means that if an individual possesses any characteristic that increases its chances of survival in its current environment, that trait will be passed on to its offspring, who will then carry on this trait if they too possess it.
This allows for random mutations that would not normally confer an advantage (or disadvantage) in an individual’s environment can still be passed down through generations because they do not affect reproductive success. With enough time and mutation events occurring over many generations, these mutations may eventually become advantageous in some way and give rise to new species.
Natural selection can act quickly or slowly depending upon how quickly changes occur within an individual’s environment or how frequently new environments present themselves due to geographic shifts or climate change.
