Question

Adaptive radiation refers to

• A. Evolution of many different species from a common ancestor
• B. Migration of members of a species to different geographical areas
• C. Adaptation in an individual to a variety of environments
• D. Adaptations due to geographical isolation

Answer 1

The correct option is A Evolution of many different species from a common ancestor

Adaptive radiation is the evolution of a species of animals or plants into a number of different groups. It could be called a type of divergent evolution. A good example of this process is the evolution of the Australian marsupials into species adapted as carnivores, herbivores, burrowers, fliers, etc. On a smaller scale, the adaptive radiation of the Galapagos finches provided Darwin with crucial evidence for his theory of evolution.