Hawaiian honeycreepers include a number of related bird species with different beak types, as shown below.

According to evolutionary theory, what most likely led to high biodiversity among these birds?

(1 point)
Responses

Birds with a variety of adaptive traits migrated to the islands.
Birds with a variety of adaptive traits migrated to the islands.

Individual birds adapted to better utilize their ancestors’ traits.
Individual birds adapted to better utilize their ancestors’ traits.

Ancestor bird populations adapted to survive a variety of habitats.
Ancestor bird populations adapted to survive a variety of habitats.

Unrelated birds reproduced to create new species with adaptive traits.

1 answer

According to evolutionary theory, the response that most likely led to high biodiversity among Hawaiian honeycreepers is:

Ancestor bird populations adapted to survive a variety of habitats.

This response reflects the concept of adaptive radiation, where ancestral species diversify and evolve into multiple species to exploit different ecological niches in response to varying environmental conditions.