Which of the following is the definition for speciation?
an inherited or learned trait that increases an organism’s chance of survival in its environment
the evolutionary process through which new species emerge
a process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive, reproduce, increase in number, and pass their traits on to succeeding generations
a process by which one of the extreme variations of a trait is favored

The answer is the evolutionary process through which new species emerge.

Speciation is the evolutionary process through which new species emerge. It is the consequence of reproductive isolation of populations which then become distinct species.

Through the process of elimination:
- An inherited or learned trait that increases an organism’s chance of survival in its environment is an adaptation.
- A process by which organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive, reproduce, increase in number, and pass their traits on to succeeding generations is natural selection.
- A process by which one of the extreme variations of a trait is favored is directional selection.