Select the correct group/set of Australian Marsupials exhibiting adaptive radiation.

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Question

Select the correct group/set of Australian Marsupials exhibiting adaptive radiation.

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: A — Numbat, Spotted cuscus, Flying phalangerStep-by-step Solution:Adaptive radiation refers to the rapid diversification of a single ancestral lineage into a variety of forms, each adapted to different ecological niches. Australia's marsupials represent a classic example of adaptive radiation — after the continent separated from the other land masses, the ancestral marsupials diversified into many ecological equivalents of placental mammals found elsewhere in the world.All three in option A are genuine Australian marsupials: Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) — a myrmecophagous (ant/termite-eating) marsupial convergently similar to anteaters; Spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus) — an arboreal marsupial from New Guinea/Australia; Flying phalanger (Petaurus breviceps, Sugar glider) — a gliding marsupial convergently similar to flying squirrels.Why other options are incorrect: Option B — Flying squirrel is a placental rodent (Sciuridae), not a marsupial. Option C — Lemur (Primates, Madagascar), Anteater (Pilosa, South America), Wolf (Canidae, Placental) — none are Australian marsupials. Option D — Bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a North American felid (placental); Tasmanian wolf is indeed a marsupial, and marsupial mole is a marsupial — but the combination with Bobcat makes this option incorrect as a set.Key Concepts:Adaptive radiation: Divergence from common ancestor into multiple ecological roles; driven by availability of unoccupied niches (e.g., Australia's geographical isolation).Convergent evolution: Unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar selective pressures (e.g., marsupial mole ↔ placental mole; thylacine/Tasmanian wolf ↔ placental wolf).Darwin's finches in Galápagos, Hawaiian honeycreepers, and cichlid fishes in African Great Lakes are other classic examples of adaptive radiation.

Select the correct group/set of Australian Marsupials exhibiting adaptive radiation.

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Select the correct group/set of Australian Marsupials exhibiting adaptive radiation.

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