Evolutionary process, giving rise to new species adapted to new habitats and ways of life, is called as adaptive radiation, for example

Options

A. Darwin's finches in Galapagos Islands
B. Australian marsupials that radiated to form new species
C. Wolf and Tasmanian wolf
D. Both (1) and (2)

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Adaptive Radiation**:
- Adaptive radiation is an evolutionary process where a single ancestral species diversifies into multiple new species, each adapted to different environments or ways of life. This typically occurs when organisms colonize new habitats with varying ecological niches.

2. **Identifying Examples of Adaptive Radiation**:
- To illustrate adaptive radiation, we can look for specific examples where species have evolved from a common ancestor to adapt to different environments.

3. **Example 1 - Darwin's Finches**:
- One of the most famous examples of adaptive radiation is the Darwin's finches found in the Galapagos Islands. These finches evolved from a common ancestor into several different species, each adapted to the unique ecological niches of the islands. For instance, some finches have developed different beak shapes to exploit various food sources available in their specific habitats.

4. **Example 2 - Australian Marsupials**:
- Another example is the adaptive radiation of Australian marsupials. From a common ancestor, various species such as kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian devils evolved to fill different ecological roles within the Australian environment. Each species has adapted to its specific habitat and lifestyle.

5. **Distinguishing from Convergent Evolution**:
- It is important to differentiate adaptive radiation from convergent evolution. For instance, the Tasmanian wolf (thylacine) is often confused with adaptive radiation but is an example of convergent evolution, where unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures.

6. **Conclusion**:
- In summary, adaptive radiation results in the emergence of new species adapted to different habitats, with Darwin's finches and Australian marsupials serving as prime examples.