Which evolutionary pattern describes multiple species evolving from a single ancestral species?

The correct answer, which is adaptive radiation, refers to the process by which a single ancestral species rapidly diversifies into a wide variety of forms to adapt to different environments or ecological niches. This phenomenon often occurs when a new habitat becomes available or when a species colonizes a new area, enabling it to exploit different resources or face different selective pressures.

Adaptive radiation typically leads to a burst of evolutionary change where multiple new species arise, each uniquely suited to a specific part of the environment. A classic example is the diversification of the finches on the Galápagos Islands, where different species evolved from a common ancestor to occupy various niches and develop distinct feeding adaptations.

In contrast, divergent evolution describes the process where two or more related species become more dissimilar over time, often due to different environmental pressures, but it does not specifically emphasize the rapid emergence of multiple species from a single ancestor. Convergent evolution refers to different species developing similar traits or adaptations despite having different ancestral origins, typically because they face similar environmental challenges. Parallel evolution occurs when two related species evolve similar traits independently while remaining in similar environments. Both of these processes do not capture the essence of multiple species evolving directly from a single ancestral lineage in the same way adaptive radiation does.