Adaptive radiation vs. divergent evolution

[swindoll]

This question is from one of Kaplan's full length tests. I thought it was E because in Cliff Notes for adaptive radiation it says, "variants of the ancestral species diverge as populations specialize for each set of conditions". So why is E not correct? Kaplan's explanation is that that's because E is a description of divergent evolution... but then what about Cliff's description...?
I'm just so confused. Evolution is such an easy topic, and I'm really disappointed that I missed this question.

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[swindoll]

Also, Cliff Notes say that divergent evolution "may happen as a result of allopartic or sympatric speciation or by adaptive radiation". In that case, shouldn't C be the description of divergent evolution and E be that of adaptive radiation? Thanks!

 

[jwan14]

The idea behind adaptive radiation is that many species emerge from a single species in a relatively short period of time. Answer choice C is sort of a half truth. Yes, adaptive radiation comes about because of environmental factors, but that choice doesn't mention the most important part about adaptive radiation. That is, many species result from this type of speciation.

Adaptive radiation is basically a type of divergent evolution.

 

[valkyrie08]

Check our Craig Savage's video if it's still unclear.