Question

What is another natural process that could contribute to the evolution of a species’ genomes? How would this process affect evolution?

Answer 1

Selective breeding. Natural selective breeding is usually carried out by females of a species. By favouring certain traits in males (usually in term of how colourful they are, eg: varieties of fish and birds of paradise), the genes that get passed on to the next generation are selected by the females. This is why in some species the males are more colourful and extravagant-looking than the females.

Answer 2

A natural disaster, such as an earthquake or a volcanic eruption, could affect the evolution of a species’ genome. These disasters could kill a large number of organisms at once, decreasing the genetic variation in the gene pool. In some cases, large populations may become separated, which can lead to several smaller populations evolving in different ways.