Question

Which of the following events have been identified as triggers for adaptive radiations? Choose all that apply.

Group of answer choices
a evolution of a key innovation
b environmental change
c colonization of new habitat
d mass extinction

Answer 1

Adaptive radiations can be triggered by the evolution of a key innovation, environmental change, colonization of new habitats, and mass extinctions. These events pave the way for rapid diversification of species into new forms and niches.

Step-by-step explanation:

Triggers for adaptive radiations can include the evolution of a key innovation, environmental change, colonization of new habitats, and mass extinctions. These events can lead to the rapid diversification of a single species into multiple species, each adapted to a different niche or environment.

• Evolution of a key innovation may allow a species to exploit resources or niches that were previously inaccessible, leading to adaptive radiation.
• Environmental change, such as climate shifts or habitat alterations, can create new opportunities for species to diversify.
• When a species colonizes a new habitat, especially isolated ones like islands, they often encounter less competition and can diversify into multiple new species.
• Mass extinctions remove many competitors, allowing surviving species to rapidly diversify and fill newly empty niches.

Examples of adaptive radiation include the Hawaiian honeycreeper, which evolved from a single founder species into numerous species, each adapted to a specific ecological role in the Hawaiian Islands.