The adaptive radiation is represented by which of the following ?
(A) Darwin's finches
(B) Koala and Wombat
(C) Tiger cat and Sugar glider
(D) Spotted cuscus and lemur
(E) Anteater and Numbat
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (A), (B) and (C) only
(A) Darwin's finches — True. Many types evolved from one seed-eating ancestor.
(B) Koala and Wombat — True. Australian marsupials.
(C) Tiger cat and Sugar glider — True. Australian marsupials.
(D) Spotted cuscus and lemur — False. The lemur is a placental mammal.
(E) Anteater and Numbat — False. The anteater is a placental mammal.
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. Another example is Australian marsupials. A number of marsupials, each different from the other (Figure 6.6) evolved from an ancestral stock, but all within the Australian island continent.”
