15. Which of the following is true about adaptive radiation? A. It occurs only on islands. B. It occurs over one generation. C. It causes many different species to converge into one common species. D. It starts with one common ancestra species and produces many new spec

The correct answer is **D. It starts with one common ancestor species and produces many new species.**<br /><br />Here's why:<br /><br />* **A. It occurs only on islands:** While adaptive radiation is often associated with islands (like Darwin's finches in the Galapagos), it can occur in other isolated environments like lakes or mountaintops. It's not exclusive to islands.<br /><br />* **B. It occurs over one generation:** Adaptive radiation is a process that takes place over many generations, driven by natural selection. A single generation wouldn't be enough time for significant diversification.<br /><br />* **C. It causes many different species to converge into one common species:** This describes convergent evolution, where unrelated species develop similar traits due to similar environmental pressures. Adaptive radiation is the opposite – it's *divergent* evolution.<br /><br />* **D. It starts with one common ancestor species and produces many new species:** This is the core definition of adaptive radiation. A single ancestral species diversifies into multiple new species, each adapted to a different ecological niche.<br />