Silverswords had no tree and shrub competitors prior to recent human ecological disturbance to the Hawaiian Islands.Descended from a tarweed ancestor that evolved in an environment with many tree and shrub species, its arrival on the islands represented a(n) _______because of a(n)_______.
A) evolutionary radiation; variety of open ecological niches
B) lek; open ecological niche
C) evolutionary radiation; competitive ecological niche
D) lek; evolutionary radiation
E) evolutionary radiation; prezygotic reproductive barrier

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Silverswords underwent an evolutionary radiation upon their arrival in the Hawaiian Islands due to the availability of a variety of open ecological niches. This means they diversified into multiple species to fill different roles in the ecosystem, a process facilitated by the lack of competition from other tree and shrub species.

Silverswords Had No Tree and Shrub Competitors Prior to Recent