The evolution of different species in a given geographical area start…

The correct answer is Option (2) → Adaptive radiation

Adaptive radiation is the evolution of many different species from one ancestor in one geographical area, each fitted to a different habitat or way of life. Darwin saw this in the finches of the Galapagos Islands. From the original seed-eating finch, forms with different beaks arose that became insect-eating and vegetarian.

Option (1) Convergent evolution — Incorrect. In convergent evolution, different structures evolve for the same function, so unrelated organisms come to look alike; this gives analogous structures such as the wings of a butterfly and of a bird. It does not name the spreading of many species from one starting point into different habitats.

Option (2) Adaptive radiation — Correct. The question describes species spreading out from one starting point into different habitats. That is adaptive radiation, as shown by Darwin’s finches and the Australian marsupials.

Option (3) Natural selection — Incorrect. Natural selection is the mechanism by which better-fitted variants survive and reproduce more. It drives adaptive radiation, but it is not the name of this pattern of many species arising in one area.

Option (4) Genetic drift — Incorrect. Genetic drift is a chance change in gene frequencies, mostly in small populations. It is not linked with spreading into new habitats from one point.

NCERT Extract:
What is Adaptive Radiation? – “… From the original seed-eating features, many other forms with altered beaks arose, enabling them to become insectivorous and vegetarian finches (Figure 6.5). This process of evolution of different species in a given geographical area starting from a point and literally radiating to other areas of geography (habitats) is called adaptive radiation. Darwin’s finches represent one of the best examples of this phenomenon.”

Figure 6.5 Variety of beaks of finches that Darwin found in Galapagos Island