Question

What is the definition of adaptive radiation

Answer 1

Adaptive radiation is the process in which a single ancestral species diversifies into a wide array of descendant species that are adapted to different ecological niches. This diversification occurs through natural selection, as different populations of the ancestral species evolve to exploit different resources or habitats. This phenomenon often occurs in response to new environmental opportunities or challenges, such as the colonization of new habitats or the extinction of competitors. Adaptive radiation can lead to the evolution of a diverse array of species with distinct traits and adaptations.