Which evolutionary scenario is most conducive to rapid speciation — for example, adaptive radiation — when a colonizing species reaches an unoccupied habitat with many available ecological niches?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Strong ecological selection combined with ecological opportunity
When a species colonizes a new environment with many empty niches, strong ecological selection pressures coupled with ecological opportunity can drive rapid diversification and speciation (adaptive radiation).
Keep practicing
More Evolution and speciation questions
- Which of the following best defines biological evolution in a population genetics context?
- Which of the following is NOT considered a primary mechanism driving evolution?
- What effect does genetic drift most strongly have on a population?
- What is the consequence of gene flow between two previously isolated populations?
- Which condition must be met for populations to undergo speciation?
- What is the most common mode of speciation observed in nature, especially when populations are geographically separated?