What is coevolution?

Coevolution refers to the process where two or more species exert selective pressures on each other, leading to reciprocal adaptations over time. This phenomenon occurs when the evolutionary changes in one species influence the evolutionary trajectories of another species. For example, a predator and its prey may undergo coevolution; as the prey develops better defensive mechanisms, the predator must adapt to overcome those defenses.

In this context, coevolution is significant because it highlights the interconnectedness of species within an ecosystem, demonstrating that the survival and reproduction of one species can directly impact another. This process can lead to a diverse range of interactions, including mutualism, where both species benefit from the relationship, or antagonism, where one species benefits at the expense of the other.

The other choices describe different evolutionary processes that occur independently of such inter-species interactions, which distinguishes them from coevolution. This makes the mutual influence of two or more species on each other the defining characteristic of coevolution.