Question

What four patterns can species diversification follow? Explain each.

Answer 1

There are four patterns that species diversification can follow: adaptive radiation, convergent evolution, co-evolution, and gradualism.

Step-by-step explanation:

There are four main patterns that species diversification can follow:

1. Adaptive radiation: This is when a single ancestral species diversifies into multiple new species that occupy different ecological niches. Each species adapts to a specific environment, resulting in a wide range of ecological diversity. An example of adaptive radiation is the finches in the Galapagos Islands.
2. Convergent evolution: This occurs when unrelated species evolve similar traits or adaptations due to similar selective pressures. An example is the wings of bats and birds, which have evolved independently but serve similar functions.
3. Co-evolution: This is a pattern where two or more species evolve in response to each other's adaptations. An example is the relationship between flowers and their pollinators. Flowers have evolved colors, shapes, and scents that attract specific pollinators, while pollinators have adapted specialized body parts to access the flower's nectar.
4. Gradualism: This pattern involves slow and continuous changes in a species over time. It suggests that evolution occurs through the accumulation of small genetic changes. Fossil records often support gradualism by showing a gradual transition between different species.