Explain how genetic mutations can increase the variation in a population over time.

Mutations are changes to an organism's DNA and are an important driver of diversity in populations. Species evolve because of the accumulation of mutations that occur over time. ... This mutation has introduce a new allele into the population that increases genetic variation and may be passed on to the next generation.

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the oldest known insects are believed to live around 400 millions ago as suggested by the fossil records.   some plants having woody stems also evolved during this time.

after the evolution of insects the first four legged species or the tetrapods evolved in shallow freshwater habitats from the intermediate species approximately 397 million years ago. the tetrapods went on conquering the land giving rise to amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds.

the major split in tetrapods first occurred 340 million years ago branching off from amphibians.

363 million years ago when the carboniferous period began the insects started roaming on land and taking flights, following which the four limbed tetrapods adapted in the terrestrial habitat.