Question

What will happen to biodiversity during adaptive radiation?

Answer 1

Adaptive radiation:

1. Adaptive radiation is the evolutionary process whereby different kind of species evolve from common ancestor, on inhabiting new areas as they successfully adapt to their environment.
2. The organism also evolves to survive in a particular environment.
3. Therefore, if two different adaptive radiation occurs in an area, then it is most likely that both the evolved species will have similar adaptations to survive in that particular area.
4. Hence, both the species will develop into similar structures to perform such similar functions.
5. Example: In case of the Australian marsupials like Kangaroo, Marsupial rat etc. each of the marsupial is different from other but has evolved from same ancestor and all co-exist in a common geographical area i.e. Australia.

Effect on biodiversity during adaptive radiation:

1. Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
2. Biodiversity increases as a result of the adaptive radiation.
3. This is because multiple species emerge rapidly from a single lineage and occupy various available niches.