Adaptive Radiation

Adaptive radiation

Adaptive radiation is a type of evolution in which from one ancestral form many different forms arise that occupy different habitats.

With adaptive radiation, rapid speciation occurs, as a result of which the descendants of one species disperse and develop new ecological niches. This leads to the emergence of morphological, physiological and behavioral differences between offspring, allowing them to survive and reproduce in different environmental conditions.

A striking example of adaptive radiation is Darwin's finches in the Galapagos Islands. They evolved from a single species of finch that arrived on the islands about 2-3 million years ago. As a result of adaptation to different islands and different food sources, more than ten species of finches have arisen, differing in beak size, plumage color and other characteristics.

Thus, adaptive radiation is a mechanism of rapid speciation, allowing one species to give rise to many new forms adapted to diverse environmental conditions. This is an important evolutionary process that increases biodiversity.