0
What evolutionary change allowed for the great adaptive radiation of mammals?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
A number of phylogenic novelties like endothermy with separated pulmonary and systemic circulatory systems (4 chamber hearts), and expanded cardiac output to handle the blood volume and support the high metabolic rates. Dental differentiation with 4 types of rooted teeth had combined with improved digestion to produce the metabolic base for an endothermic phylum able to rapidly expand once the opportunity was available. Until the niches opened with the last great extinction event the basic mammals would never have been able to compete against animals already highly adapted to their niches. The KT extinction allowed mammals to undergo the adaptive specializations needed to diversify into the range of modern species
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How do the similarities found in different species of mammals reflect evolutionary relationships?
I and II only
How do mammalian forelimbs show adaptive radiation?
At the demise of the non-bird dinosaurs the extant mammals were all pretty much the same, all shrew like and having four paws with five figits. as the mammal radiated into the niches that were abandoned by the dinosaurs the basic tetrapod plan remained, but the digits especially changed, Look to the variance between the paws of a tiger, retractable claws that are razor sharp, pads on the bottom for running and the five digits, Then there is the horse, hardened hoof which is the middle digit extended and the nail grown and hardened. You can now think of many differences to forelimbs in mammals engendered by their adaptive radiation. ( whales come to mind )
What is the relationship between speciation and adaptive radiation?
Adaptive radiation is a rapid form of speciation that takes place when there is a mass immigration to new ecological niches, or a mass extinction of one dominant life form opening up niches for other life forms. Darwin's finches are examples of the former, as they reached the Galapagos Islands as one species and radiated from there into many different species of birds make there living in various ways that called for morphological changes, basically in beak size and shape. The death of the dinosaurs is an example of the latter radiation event. That is when several types of small mammals radiated out into all the niches left open bu the dinosaurs.
Do all mammals have a common ancestor?
Not actually. There were several different marine reptiles that had mammalian characteristics, notably the group known as pelycosaurs. The earliest mammals appeared early in the Age of Reptiles (Mesozoic Era), but were uniformly small in size. The group called synapsids took an evolutionary path to mammals while the sauropsids became today's reptiles and birds.
How do adult polar bears parent offspring?
They are mammals and have sex in the normal fashion for mammals. The Pregnant Polar Bear may seek out shelter on an Ice Floe ( a sort of mini-berg) failing this they might retreat in Ice Caves. It has been said they will conceive and the embryo will grow while in hibernation, but this does not affect they way they perform the sexual act. Polar Bears are the most aquatic of the non-adaptive Marine Mammals ( excluding fully-waterborne Whales, seals, etc.)
Which event is the most likely to cause for the four periods when punctuated equilibrium seems to have occurred?
Extinction events, such as the Permian extinction and the KT extinction event. You have adaptive radiation driving evolutionary change after such events. Google " the rise of the mammals. "
Are placental mammals in north America and marsupials in Australia examples of adaptive radiation?
No.
Which organisms are not examples of an adaptive radiation?
Mammals and reptiles in the post-dinosaur age
Which event is the most likely cause for the four periods when punctuated equilibrium seems to occur?
Extinction events, such as the Permian extinction and the KT extinction event. You have adaptive radiation driving evolutionary change after such events. Google " the rise of the mammals. "
What was explosive adaptive radiation of mammals most likely a result of what?
For plato users D)Both A and B
Why was the comet impact a chance happening that benefited the evolution of humans?
Because that comet, which sent many dinosaurs into extinction, caused the mammals to go through a large adaptive radiation event that allowed the vast variation in mammals we see today, especially the variations called apes.
The explosive adaptive radiation of mammals was most likely a result of what?
Adaptive radiation is usually caused by the appearance of a very useful adaptation or the appearance of a new niche in an ecological community. Both contributed to mammals' adaptive radiation. They evolved molars with four cusps, which increased their potential diet. They were insulated by fur, allowing them to survive colder areas and colder times. And the non-avian dinosaurs became extinct, allowing mammals to take their place as the (on average) largest and most dominant organisms in many ecosystems. ---------------------- PLATO USERS D) Both A and B
What are some possible explanations for rapid evolutionary changes?
Adaptive radiation is one good explanation for rapid evolutionary change. When a dominant taxa goes extinct, such as the dinosaurs, the surviving species/taxa, such as the mammals have many niches that they can now fill, so any variation in individuals against immediate environments can lead to survival and reproductive advantages that translate into rapid allelic changes in populations; rapid evolutionary change.
Can you describe condition that makes it possible for a species to undergo adaptive radiation?
When the dinosaurs went extinct the mammals that were living alongside the dinosaurs underwent massive adaptive radiation. Large extinction events can give rise to niche openings for species that go through the extinction event.
The end-cretaceous extinctions were followed by the . a. adaptive radiation of mammals and birds b. appearance of hard-shelled marine organisms c. appearance of first land plants d. insects?
The answer is a.
What describes the process of adaptive radiation?
Darwin's finches were the result of adaptive radiation. One species coming to the Galapagos Islands radiated throughout all the Islands becoming many species fulling many different niches. Another example is the demise of the dinosaurs. Mammals radiated out from small, general beginnings to fill all the niches left by the extinct dinosaurs.
What were the evolutionary beginnings of the mammals?
God created them.
