The fossils of a new species of reptile are found in deposits dating to the Permian period. Later, scients discover that fossils of the speces changed somewhat over time and can be found in deposits dating from the permitan period all the way up to the Cretaceous period. The fossils vary from one continent to another, but many seemingly intermediate forms are found, and the fossils are spread over most continents. The scientists' observations most strongly support which evolutionary models?

a. ellopete speciation

b. Punctuated ovolution

c. adaptive radiation

Question

Biology

Miley Hines

8 June, 18:46

The fossils of a new species of reptile are found in deposits dating to the Permian period. Later, scients discover that fossils of the speces changed somewhat over time and can be found in deposits dating from the permitan period all the way up to the Cretaceous period. The fossils vary from one continent to another, but many seemingly intermediate forms are found, and the fossils are spread over most continents. The scientists' observations most strongly support which evolutionary models?

a. ellopete speciation

b. Punctuated ovolution

c. adaptive radiation

+3

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Rowan Ross · Answer 1

The correct answer is option c. "adaptive radiation".

Explanation:

The term "adaptive radiation" is used in evolutionary biology to describe a evolutionary history at which many different organisms are created as a result of a rapid diversification of an ancestral species. This phenomenon takes place as a result of changes in the environmental conditions that forces new species to adapt quickly. The scientist observations of many intermediate forms at different continents of an ancestral reptile, most strongly support the evolutionary model of adaptive radiation.