Question

(a) Identify any two marsupials from the list given below:
(i) Lemur
(ii) Spotted cuscus
(iii) Flying phalanger
(iv) Bobcat
(v) Tasmanian wolf
(vi) Mole

(b) "Australian marsupials exhibit adaptive radiation." Justify the statement. [2]

Answer 1

(a) Spotted cuscus and flying phalanger are marsupials. [1 mark]
[Tasmanian wolf is also a marsupial and may be chosen as the answer]

(b) Australian marsupials, each different from the other evolved from an ancestral stock, but all within the Australian island continent. Hence, Australian marsupials exhibit adaptive radiation. [1 mark]