Question:

Describe one example of adaptive radiation.

Updated On: Oct 4, 2023
Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Solution and Explanation

Adaptive radiation is an evolutionary process that produces new species from a single rapidly diversifying lineage. This process occurs due to natural selection. An example of adaptive radiation is Darwin finches found in Galapagos Island. A large variety of finches is present in Galapagos Island that arose from a single species which reached this land accidentally. As a result many new species have evolved diverged and adapted to occupy new habitats. These finches have developed different eating habits and different types of beaks to suit their feeding habits. The insectivorous blood sucking and other species of finches with varied dietary habits have evolved from a single seed eating finch ancestor.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Concepts Used:

Evolution

Evolution is a process that occurs in changes in the genetic content of a population over time. Evolutionary change is generally classified into two: microevolution and macroevolution. The process of changes in allele frequencies in a population over time is a microevolutionary process. Three main mechanisms that cause allele frequency change are natural selection, genetic drift, and gene flow. On the other hand, macroevolution refers to change at or above the level of the species.