What is adaptive radiation?

Adaptive radiation refers to the process through which a single ancestral species rapidly diversifies into a variety of new forms, each adapted to different environments or ecological niches. This phenomenon typically occurs when organisms colonize new habitats or after significant environmental changes, such as after a mass extinction event, which creates new opportunities for survival and reproduction.

In the context of adaptive radiation, the diversification from a common ancestor allows species to exploit various resources and adapt to varying environmental conditions, leading to increased biodiversity. A classic example of this can be observed in the finches of the Galápagos Islands, where different species evolved distinct beak shapes to utilize different food sources.

The other options do not capture the essence of adaptive radiation. For instance, adaptation to a single environmental condition does not account for the diversification aspect. Extinction relates to the loss of species rather than the emergence of new ones, and general genetic modification over time does not specifically highlight the adaptive evolution of multiple new species from a shared ancestor. Thus, the form of evolution described in the correct answer embodies the key elements of adaptive radiation: common ancestry, diversification, and adaptation to various ecological niches.