Question

how does meiosis leads to variation in species?

Answer 1

This will be due to the crossing over in anaphase 1(meiosis 1) where genetic informations are shared between two chromosomes. This will eventually lead to genetic variation in any individual.

Answer 2

During meiosis, the chromosome pairs (remember, one from mom and one from dad) do something called "crossing over". In this process, the chromosomes switch pieces, which is called recombination. When the new gametes are formed at the end of meiosis, there are new combinations of genes within the gametes that weren't present before.