adaptive radiation
noun
Pronunciation: əˈdæptɪv ˌreɪdiˈeɪʃən
Definition
The rapid evolutionary diversification of a single ancestral lineage into a variety of new forms, each specialized to occupy a different ecological niche.
Examples
The rapid adaptive radiation of mammals following the extinction of the dinosaurs allowed them to colonize diverse environments.
Cichlid fish in African lakes provide a classic example of adaptive radiation, with hundreds of species evolving from a common ancestor.
Ecologists study adaptive radiation to understand how competition for resources drives the emergence of new species.
Synonyms of adaptive radiation
Words with a similar meaning to adaptive radiation:
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