Question

Explain adaptive radiation and convergent evolution by taking examples of some Australian marsupials and Australian placental mammals
OR
(a) What is adaptive radiation?
(b) Explain with the help of a suitable example, where adaptive radiation has occurred to represent convergent evolution.

Answer 1

Answer:

adaptive radiation means " it is the process of evolution from a restricted geographical area and common origin, from a ecological niche different species literaly radiate to other ecological niche."

australian marsupials :

first the australian marsupials are from only australia, i.e. restricted geographical area , and also from a common origin. When continental drift happened the marsupials got seperated from other placental mammals. So they all came from common origin. hence this is an example of adptive radiation.

also convergent evolution means development of similar adaptive structures in unrelated organisms, due to similar needs. different animals from different parts of the world in australia are marsupials, it is an example of convergent evolution.

Answer 2

Explanation:

Adaptive radiation can be referred to as convergent evolution if more than one adaptive radiation occurs in an isolated geographical area. Example: Australian marsupials and placental mammals show convergent evolution.