An ancestral fruit-eating mammal colonized an isolated archipelago containing varied, unexploited ecological niches. Over generations, descendant populations evolved distinct morphological structures adapted for burrowing, swimming, and nectar-feeding, yet all retained identical underlying skeletal limb configurations. Which evolutionary phenomenon best accounts for this rapid diversification, and what anatomical evidence confirms their descent from a shared ancestor?
- Adaptive radiation, evidenced by homologous structuresAnswer
- BConvergent evolution, evidenced by analogous structures
- CLamarckian evolution, evidenced by inherited somatic modifications
- DProtective mimicry, evidenced by cryptic coloration adaptations
Answer
Adaptive radiation, evidenced by homologous structures
The correct response identifies adaptive radiation as the process where a single ancestral population rapidly diversifies to fill open ecological niches. The shared anatomical framework across different specialized limbs provides clear evidence of homology derived from a common ancestor.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Adaptive Radiation and Homology in Speciation
Estimated Time:2m 0s