Question: 166 Select the correct group/set of Australian Marsupials exhibiting adaptive radiation.
(1) Mole, Flying squirrel, Tasmanian tiger cat
(2) Lemur, Anteater, Wolf
(3) Tasmanian wolf, Bobcat, Marsupial mole
(4) Numbat, Spotted cuscus, Flying phalanger
Answer: Option (4)
Explanation:
Adaptive radiation refers to the evolution of different species from a common ancestral
form to occupy different ecological niches.
Australian marsupials show classic examples of adaptive radiation,
where various marsupials evolved to perform different functions similar
to placental mammals elsewhere.
Numbat is an insectivorous marsupial adapted for feeding on termites.
Spotted cuscus is an arboreal marsupial adapted for life on trees.
Flying phalanger is a gliding marsupial adapted for movement between trees using a patagium.
All three are Australian marsupials showing diversification from a common ancestral stock.
Hence, the correct group exhibiting adaptive radiation is Numbat, Spotted cuscus and Flying phalanger.