adaptive radiation
noun
: evolutionary diversification of a generalized ancestral form with production of a number of adaptively specialized forms
Examples of adaptive radiation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Maritime species outnumbered those on land by six-to-one, and the adaptive radiation that existed on land didn’t exist at depth and had slowed the evolutionary processes, granting biologists like her a glimpse into ancient evolutionary patterns.
—
Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024
The lizards have spread across the Caribbean through a process called adaptive radiation.
—Quanta Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
In my opinion, this shows that the adaptive radiation of birds was under way long before Archaeopteryx, says Feduccia.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 10 Feb. 2021
Such intense diversification is indicative of what biologists call an adaptive radiation, which occurs when many new species rapidly proliferate from an ancestor, changing aspects of their appearance and behavior to take advantage of new environments or opportunities.
—Steve Brusatte, Scientific American, 1 June 2022
Origins of female genital diversity: Predation risk and lock-and-key explain rapid divergence during an adaptive radiation.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 25 Aug. 2015
This fact confirmed for the researchers that Tanganyika’s cichlids were ideal subjects for testing ideas about adaptive radiation — an evolutionary event in which many diverse species emerge rapidly and adapt to new environmental niches.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Dec. 2020
Evolutionary theorists have two models for how adaptive radiation might play out.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Dec. 2020
This adaptive radiation played out most dramatically in Mexico and Central America, where about 40 percent of all the world's oaks reside.
—Andrew L. Hipp, Scientific American, 15 July 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024
The lizards have spread across the Caribbean through a process called adaptive radiation.
—Quanta Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
In my opinion, this shows that the adaptive radiation of birds was under way long before Archaeopteryx, says Feduccia.
—Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 10 Feb. 2021
Such intense diversification is indicative of what biologists call an adaptive radiation, which occurs when many new species rapidly proliferate from an ancestor, changing aspects of their appearance and behavior to take advantage of new environments or opportunities.
—Steve Brusatte, Scientific American, 1 June 2022
Origins of female genital diversity: Predation risk and lock-and-key explain rapid divergence during an adaptive radiation.
—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 25 Aug. 2015
This fact confirmed for the researchers that Tanganyika’s cichlids were ideal subjects for testing ideas about adaptive radiation — an evolutionary event in which many diverse species emerge rapidly and adapt to new environmental niches.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Dec. 2020
Evolutionary theorists have two models for how adaptive radiation might play out.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Dec. 2020
This adaptive radiation played out most dramatically in Mexico and Central America, where about 40 percent of all the world's oaks reside.
—Andrew L. Hipp, Scientific American, 15 July 2020
Cite this Entry
“Adaptive radiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adaptive%20radiation. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share