Q25.4-2CC - Campbell Biology

Question

What factors promote adaptive radiations?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The factors that promote adaptive radiation have new evolutionary traits, mass extinction, and new ecological opportunities.

Step 1: Evolutionary biology

The scientific discipline of biology that focuses on the diversity of life and traits which evolve adaptation in human beings in the natural environment is called evolutionary biology.

Various phenomena involved in evolutionary biology are speciation and evolution of aging, cooperation, and sexual reproduction. The evolution of ostriches and emus is an example of evolutionary biology.

Step 2: Species diversification

The term species diversification represents a rate that determines the formation and extinction of species in a particular location.

The several processes of evolution include diversification within species (gene flow and gene mutation) and diversification between species (natural selection and genetic drift).

Step 3: Adaptive radiation

In evolutionary biology, when multiple species evolve at a faster rate from their common ancestor and these species outspread into new environmental niches, it is called adaptive radiation.

Mass extinction (species dying out at a faster rate in a short time period), species migration to a new area for new ecological opportunities, and diversification of organisms to provide food sources are several factors promoting adaptive radiation.