AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Adaptive radiation is the evolutionary process by which many species originate from one species in an area and radiate to different species. The phenomenon of adaptive radiation was first observed by Darwin when he travelled to a place called Galapagos Island.

Detailed explanation-2: -In evolutionary biology, adaptive radiation is a process in which organisms diversify rapidly from an ancestral species into a multitude of new forms, particularly when a change in the environment makes new resources available, alters biotic interactions or opens new environmental niches.

Detailed explanation-3: -In adaptive radiation, many different species evolve from a single ancestor species. Each new species evolves to exploit a different niche, such as food source. In the example above, Hawaiian honeycreepers evolved a range of bill forms in response to available food sources on the Hawaiian archipelago.

Detailed explanation-4: -Adaptive radiation is a concept in evolutionary biology where the number of species with a common ancestor increase rapidly however they are characterised by great morphological and ecological variations. So, the correct answer is ‘Divergent evolution’.

Detailed explanation-5: -Adaptive radiation is a form of evolution, where there is a change in the genetic makeup of a population over time. Evolution is caused by natural selection, or the survival of the fittest, as well as natural variation in the population, and selective pressures, like competition for food.