Question

(a) “The process of evolution of different species in a given geographical area starts from a point and literally radiates to other geographical areas.” Explain it with an example.
(b) Cite an example where more than one adaptive radiation has occurred in an isolated geographical area. Name the type of evolution your example depicts.

Hint:

Adaptive radiation is rapid evolution from a common ancestor in varied environments. Convergent evolution involves similar traits in unrelated lineages.

Answer 1

• [(a)] This describes adaptive radiation. An example is Darwin’s finches on the Galápagos Islands, which diversified into distinct species with varying beak shapes suited for different food sources.
• [(b)] An illustration of Australian marsupials, where isolated evolutionary paths led to species occupying diverse ecological roles, exemplifies convergent evolution.