ABSTRACT
The evolution of every species is influenced by other species, often involving coevolution, which is fundamental in evolution. Many major evolutionary breakthroughs involved selection provided by other species. For example, different bacteria species coevolved with each other, also producing adaptive evolutionary breakthroughs, including antibiotics. Bacteria influenced eukaryote evolution, including probably the evolution from organisms with one cell to those with many cells. Plants could not have colonized land without fungi; invertebrates could not have colonized land without plants; and vertebrates needed plants and invertebrates to colonize land. Teeth, digestive systems, and immune systems evolved as the result of selection provided by other species than those species that possess them. Flowers and pollination, the dispersal of plant seeds, and extremely toxic snake venom are the result of coevolution. Organisms influence the evolution of other members of their species. This is seen in the evolution of bright colors, dances, and songs in the males of some species, and in the evolution of intelligence. Life coevolved with the nonbiological environment, with profound positive effects on biodiversity.
