QQuestionBiology
QuestionBiology
Which of the following is an example of adaptive radiation?
A. One population of squirrels becomes two separate species over a long time.
B. One population of lizards leads to 15 separate species over a short time.
C. One species of birds becomes better suited to its environment over time.
D. Two species of fish begin to breed with each other.
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this problem step by step, focusing on the concept of adaptive radiation.
Step 2:: Understanding Adaptive Radiation
Adaptive radiation is an evolutionary process where a single ancestral species rapidly diversifies into multiple new species, each adapted to different ecological niches. This typically occurs when: - A species enters a new environment with many open ecological opportunities - The species has genetic variation that allows for quick adaptation - There are minimal competing species in the new environment
Step 3:: Analyzing the Options
Let's evaluate each option against the key characteristics of adaptive radiation: A. One population of squirrels becomes two separate species over a long time - This describes speciation, but not necessarily adaptive radiation - The process seems too slow and limited B. One population of lizards leads to 15 separate species over a short time - Multiple species emerging rapidly - Significant diversification - Suggests adaptation to different ecological niches - MATCHES the definition of adaptive radiation C. One species of birds becomes better suited to its environment over time - This describes adaptation, but not speciation or radiation - No new species are created D. Two species of fish begin to breed with each other - This describes hybridization - Not related to adaptive radiation
Step 4:: Identifying the Correct Answer
The key characteristics of adaptive radiation are: - Rapid speciation - Multiple new species - Adaptation to different ecological niches Based on these criteria, the correct answer is:
Final Answer
One population of lizards leads to 15 separate species over a short time. This option best represents adaptive radiation, showing rapid diversification of a single ancestral population into multiple specialized species.
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