Give an example of adaptive radiation.

An example of adaptive radiation is the Darwin’s finches on the Galápagos Islands.

Adaptive radiation is the process where a single species evolves into many different forms to adapt to various environments. Charles Darwin observed finches on different islands that had different types of beaks. Each beak type was suited for eating different kinds of food, like seeds, insects, or fruits. This is a classic example of how one ancestor species can give rise to many new species depending on ecological needs.

Other Examples:

• Marsupials in Australia
• Cichlid fishes in African lakes
• Mammals after the extinction of dinosaurs