An evolutionary pattern characterized by increase in number and kind o...
The answer is c.
Adaptive Radiation
Adaptive radiation is an evolutionary pattern characterized by a rapid increase in the number of kinds of closely related species. Adaptive radiation results in an evolutionary explosion of new species from a common ancestor. There are basically two situations thought to favor adaptive radiation. One is a condition in which an organism invades a previously unexploited environment. For example, at one time, there were no animals on the landmasses of the Earth. The amphibians were the first vertebrate animals able to spend part of their lives on land. Fossil evidence shows that a variety of amphibians evolved rapidly and exploited several kinds of lifestyles.
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An evolutionary pattern characterized by increase in number and kind o...
Adaptive Radiation in Evolution
Adaptive radiation is an evolutionary pattern characterized by an increase in the number and kind of closely related species. This phenomenon occurs when a single ancestral species rapidly diversifies into a variety of different forms to take advantage of diverse ecological niches.
Key Points:
- Adaptive radiation is often seen in environments with many available ecological niches, such as islands or after mass extinctions.
- It results in the rapid evolution of various species with different adaptations to exploit different resources.
- This process leads to the formation of multiple new species, each adapted to a specific niche within the ecosystem.
- Adaptive radiation is a form of divergent evolution, where closely related species evolve different traits to occupy distinct ecological roles.
- It is different from convergent evolution, where unrelated species develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, adaptive radiation is a significant evolutionary pattern that leads to an increase in the diversity of closely related species. By rapidly adapting to different ecological niches, species can evolve distinct characteristics that allow them to thrive in various environments. This process plays a crucial role in shaping biodiversity and the complexity of ecosystems.
An evolutionary pattern characterized by increase in number and kind o...
A)
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