What is adaptive radiation?

Adaptive radiation refers to the rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor, typically occurring when a population finds itself in a new environment or when environmental changes create new niches. This process allows species to diverge and adapt to different ecological roles, promoting a high degree of variation in traits that correspond to different adaptations.

For example, when a species colonizes a new island or region, it may encounter a wide array of different habitats, leading to the development of specialized adaptations that maximize survival and reproductive success in each of those distinct environments. The classic example of adaptive radiation is seen in Darwin’s finches, where a single ancestral species evolved into several distinct species, each adapted to different food sources and environmental conditions found on the Galápagos Islands.

In contrast, the other options describe different concepts in evolution. The development of new species in isolated environments relates to speciation that may not necessarily involve rapid diversification. The evolution of similar traits in unrelated species refers to convergent evolution, where different species independently evolve similar traits as adaptations to similar environments. Lastly, the extinction of multiple species due to environmental factors pertains to extinction events, which do not involve the emergence of new adaptations or species.