8.What is speciation ? Describe in brief the factors that control the process of speciation.
Speciation may be defined as the evolutionary process by which a new species come into existence. Few factors affection speciation are:
1) Geographical isolation:
Geographical isolation is one of the factors which may lead to speciation. In this a group of individuals of a species may become geographically isolated from other members or the species.So, both these groups grow in different environment and hence evolve to form new species. Various factors which play an important role in this type of speciation are:
2) Hybridization:
Hybridization is a process by which a new type of species come into existence as a result of mating of two distinct species. This process may lead to the existence of new species which is different from either parents. Hence, hybridization may result in speciation.