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 1I'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
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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