With the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, multiple niches that the dinosaurs once filled opened up and allowed mammals the opportunity to evolve and exploit those niches. This is an example of ____.
A) sympatric speciation
B) adaptive radiation
C) phylogeny
D) reproductive isolation
E) phylogenetic isolation

Question

​With the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, multiple niches that the dinosaurs once filled opened up and allowed mammals the opportunity to evolve and exploit those niches. This is an example of ____.
A) ​sympatric speciation
B) ​adaptive radiation
C) ​phylogeny
D) ​reproductive isolation
E) ​phylogenetic isolation

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adaptive radiation is the process by which organisms diversify rapidly into a multitude of new forms, particularly when a change in the environment makes new resources available, creates new challenges, or opens new environmental niches. The extinction of dinosaurs is a classic example of this, as it allowed mammals to evolve and fill the ecological roles left vacant.

​With the Extinction of the Dinosaurs 65 Million Years Ago

With the Extinction of the Dinosaurs 65 Million Years Ago