Question

An adaptive radiation is________.

a. a burst of speciation

b. a healthy level of UV radiation

c. a hypothesized cause of a mass extinction

d. evidence of an asteroid impact

Short answer

The correct option is (a).

Step-by-step solution

Step 1. Given information

In the given question, we are asked about the cause of consequence, Adaptive radiation.

Step 2. Description

Adaptive radiation is the sudden partition of a phylogenetic tree through speciation into species that are closely related to one another.

Adaptive radiation is caused by rapid speciation branching, not by a burst of speciation.

Step 3. Explanation of incorrect options

UV radiation- Sometimes, only a small amount of UV is required for vitamin D production in the body, it has nothing to do with adaptive radiation.

Mass extinction- Adaptive radiation results in the generation of new species that are primarily linked to each other and thus is not a problem causing mass extinction.

Evidence of an asteroid impact- This is more consistent with a catastrophic event, such as an asteroid impact, rather than a gradual change or adaptive