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adaptive radiation |
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adaptive radiation, in biology, the evolution of an ancestral species, which was adapted to a particular way of life, into many diverse species, each adapted to a different habitat. Adaptive radiation has occurred in the evolution of many groups of organisms, and is clearly illustrated by Hawaiian honey-creepers. Another example is shown in Darwin's finches, 14 species of small land birds of the Galápagos Islands. All the finches derive from a single species of ground-dwelling, seed-eating finch that probably emigrated from the South American mainland. Because the environmental niches, or habitats, were unoccupied on the isolated islands, the ancestral stock was able to differentiate into diverse species; 3 species are ground-dwelling seedeaters, 3 live on cactus plants and are seedeaters, 1 is a tree-dwelling seedeater, and 7 are tree-dwelling insecteaters. See also competition competition, in biology, relationship between members of the same or different species in which individuals are adversely affected by those having the same living requirements, such as food or space. Intraspecific competition, i.e. ..... Click the link for more information. . adaptive radiation [ə′dap·tiv ‚rād·ē′ā·shən] (evolution) Diversification of a dominant evolutionary group into a large number of subsidiary types adapted to more restrictive modes of life (different adaptive zones) within the range of the larger group. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| ? Mentioned in | ? References in periodicals archive | |
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We are now entering into cooperation with
Philips, during which we will jointly develop the next generation of
treatment-planning systems for adaptive radiation therapy. They're stunning examples of adaptive radiation,
or different species originating from a common ancestor, says Schneider. We are now initiating cooperation with Philips
in which we will jointly develop the next generation of treatment
planning systems for adaptive radiation therapy. |
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