Which one of the following is not an example of adaptive radiation?

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CUET Biology 23rd Aug 2022 Official Paper
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  1. Australian Marsupials
  2. Australian Placental Mammals
  3. Moths in England
  4. Darwin's Finches

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : Moths in England
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CUET General Awareness (Ancient Indian History - I)
10 Qs. 50 Marks 12 Mins

Detailed Solution

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Key Points
  • Adaptive radiation is a process of evolution of different species in a given geographical area. 
  • It starts from an ancestral stock and radiating or moving to other habitats. 
  • It was first shown by Darwin while he studied the species of finches in the Galapagos islands.
  • There were several species of finches that had diverged from the original seed-eating species.
  • Competing with the same resources on the island allowed them to adopt with new beak features that reduced competition for survival.
  • The feeding habit of Darwin's finches ranged from seeds to insects and many more.
  • Similar example can be given for Australian marsupials and Australian placental mammals, that evolved within the continental island from an ancestral stock.
  • The Australian placental mammals also show similarities with a corresponding marsupial. E.g.-Anteater and Numbat.

Additional Information

  • Moths in England exemplify natural selection.
  • A change was observed in the population of peppermoths of England after industrialization.
  • Before industrialization, white-winged moths were more prevalent on the trees that were covered with whitish lichen, which grew in the absence of pollution.
  • Post-industrialization, the trees became covered with soot and smoke, exposing the white-winged moths to predators.
  • Here, the dark-winged or melanized moths survived better and hence became prevalent.
  • In rural areas, however, the white-winged moths prevailed.
  • This shows a directional selection in favour of the dark-winged moths in industrial are.
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