Adaptive radiations can be a direct consequence of four of the following five factors. Select the exception.
A) vacant ecological niches
B) genetic drift
C) colonization of an isolated region that contains suitable habitat and few competitor species
D) evolutionary innovation
E) an adaptive radiation in a group of organisms (such as plants) that another group uses as food

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Genetic drift is a random process that can lead to the loss of genetic variation in a population, but it is not generally considered a direct factor in driving adaptive radiations. The other options - vacant ecological niches, colonization of a new region, evolutionary innovation, and exploitation of a food resource - can all contribute to adaptive radiations by providing opportunities for new species to diversify and occupy different roles in the ecosystem.

Adaptive Radiations Can Be a Direct Consequence of Four of the Following