key term - Adaptive Radiation

Definition

Adaptive radiation is an evolutionary process where organisms rapidly diversify into multiple new forms especially when environmental conditions change creating new opportunities (niches).

Related terms

Natural Selection:

This is the process by which certain inherited traits become more common over generations due to those traits increasing an organism's chance of survival and reproduction.

Ecological Niche:

The role and position a species has in its environment; how it meets its needs for food and shelter, how it survives, and how it reproduces.

Speciation:

This is the evolutionary process by which populations evolve to become distinct species.