Define adaptive radiation. Give one example.

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Definition of Adaptive Radiation**:
Adaptive radiation is an evolutionary process in which a single ancestral species rapidly diversifies into a wide variety of forms to adapt to different environments. This occurs when organisms from a common ancestor spread into different habitats and evolve distinct adaptations that allow them to survive and thrive in those specific environments.

2. **Explanation of the Process**:
The process of adaptive radiation typically happens when a species colonizes a new area with diverse ecological niches. Over time, natural selection favors different traits in different environments, leading to the emergence of new species from the original ancestral species. This results in a variety of adaptations that enhance survival and reproduction in the respective environments.

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