Which of these is not a classical example of adaptive radiation in the development of new species?

Options

A. Darwin's finches
B. Marsupials of Australia
C. Giant turtle
D. Evolution of human

Answer

To determine which of the options is not a classical example of adaptive radiation in the development of new species, we need to understand the concept of adaptive radiation and analyze the given examples.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Adaptive Radiation**:
- Adaptive radiation is an evolutionary process where organisms diversify rapidly from an ancestral species into a wide variety of forms to adapt to different environments. This usually occurs when species colonize new habitats and face different selection pressures.

2. **Identifying Classical Examples**:
- **Darwin's Finches**: These birds are a classic example of adaptive radiation. They evolved from a common ancestor to adapt to different food sources and habitats on the Galapagos Islands, resulting in various species with different beak shapes.
- **Marsupials of Australia**: These also represent adaptive radiation. They evolved from a common ancestor and adapted to various ecological niches in Australia, leading to a wide variety of species.
- **Giant Tortoises**: Similar to the finches, giant tortoises evolved from a common ancestor and adapted to different environments on the Galapagos Islands, showcasing adaptive radiation.

3. **Considering the Evolution of Man**:
- The evolution of humans (Homo sapiens) does not fit the definition of adaptive radiation. While humans share a common ancestor with other primates, most of those close relatives are extinct, and there are no other surviving species that have diverged from that common ancestor in the same way that adaptive radiation would suggest. Thus, humans are the only surviving species from that lineage.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the evolution of man is not a classical example of adaptive radiation because it does not involve the diversification of multiple species from a common ancestor that still exist today. Instead, it represents a linear evolution with many close relatives having gone extinct.

### Final Answer:
The evolution of man is not a classical example of adaptive radiation in the development of new species.

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