Describe adaptive radiation.

Explanation

Development of different functional structures from a common ancestral form is called adaptive radiation, or the process of evolution of different species in a given geographical area starting from a point and virtually radiating to other areas of geography (habitats). Examples:
(i) Darwin.s finches of Galapagos islands having different modified beaks according to their food, habits, evolved from common ancestors.
(ii) Development of a variety of marsupials (pouched mammals) in Australia.
(iii) Varied fore-limb structure of mammals.