Question

What causes speciation according to Hugo de Vries?

Answer 1

Speciation is a process within evolution that leads to the formation of new, distinct species that are genetically independent groups.

Complete Answer:
- As indicated by Hugo de Vries, new species are not shaped by constant variation however by sudden appearance of variation, which he named as mutation. Hugo de Vries expressed that mutations are heritable and continue in progressive ages.
- He performed his experiments on Oenothera Lamarckiana, (Evening Primrose) and discovered many aberrant types.
- When O. Lamarckian had undergone self-pollination and its seeds were allowed to develop, the majority of F1 plants resembled the parents, but a few were quite different plants. He called these changes mutations.
- De Vries wondered if these 'sudden' mutations could be inherited on to the next generation. So he bred the plants, and he discovered that their offspring really also had the mutations. Because these plants had the mutations, he considered them to be complete new species. He arrived at this resolution while examining evening primrose.
- He said that mutation emerges unexpectedly in a population and acquired changes out of nowhere get changes to the previously existing population which prompts another species arrangement over the few generations.

Note: As per de Vries Mutation theory, living creatures can create changes to their genes that enormously modify the life form. These changes are passed down to the next generation, and lead to the advancement of new species. When another species has advanced, it gets fixed and quits evolving.