LIFE SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -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-2: -Adaptive radiation is a rapid increase in the number of species with a common ancestor, characterized by great ecological and morphological diversity.

Detailed explanation-3: -Statement 1: Evolution of different species in a given geographical area starting from one point and radiating to other geographical areas is adaptive radiation, which falls under divergent evolution.

Detailed explanation-4: -It is the independent evolution of similar features in a species of varying periods of time. It creates analogous structures having similar functions or forms but were not seen in the last common ancestor of these groups.

Detailed explanation-5: -Darwin’s finches are a classic example of adaptive radiation. An original finch species was brought to the Galapagos Islands from the mainland and, with diversity in beak structure, was able to colonize many different niches on the island. Through adaptive radiation, many different finch species evolved.