Evolution Question 39
39. Adaptive radiation refers to
(a) evolution of different species from a common ancestor
(b) migration of members of a species to different geographical areas
(c) power of adaptation in an individual to a variety of environments
(d) adaptations due to geographical isolation.
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Answer : a
Hints & Solution
(a) Adaptive radiation refers to evolution of different species from a common ancestor. The mammals are adapted for different mode of life i.e. they show adaptive radiation. They can be aerial (bat), aquatic (whale and dolphins), burrowing or fossorial (rat), cursorial (horse), scantorial (squarrel) or arboreal (monkey). The adaptive radiation, the term by osborn, is also known as Divergent evolution.
