A period of mass extinction is often followed by ______.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To approach this question, I’ll consider what typically follows a mass extinction event in the fossil record and evolutionary theory.
Option 1: nonbranching evolution. This term suggests little to no diversification, which conflicts with the common pattern after mass extinctions where surviving lineages rapidly diversify to fill empty ecological roles. So this choice doesn’t fit the established pattern.
Option 2: global cooling. While climate shifts can influence evolution, global cooling is not a universal or necessary outcome observed immediately after mass extinctions. It’s not the hallmark consequence that explains widespread post-extinction diversification.
Option 3: an increase in diversity of species (radiation of new species appearing). This aligns with the concept of adaptive radiation, where the removal or reduction of competitors and niches becoming available lead to rapid diversification and the emergence of many new species. This is the classic pattern following mass extinctions.
Option 4: an asteroid impact. An asteroid impact is one of the possible causes of a mass extinction event, not a typical aftermath. After the event, the immediate cause is gone or reduced, and the question concerns what follows, not what caused it.
Option 5: stasis. Stasis implies little or no evolutionary change over time, which contradicts the observed rapid diversification that often follows mass extinctions as ecosystems recover.
In summary, the most fitting consequence after a mass extinction is a burst of diversification through adaptive radiation, producing many new species to occupy newly available ecological niches. The other options describe either causes of extinctions, less general climate scenarios, or patterns that don’t match the post-extinction trajectory.

A period of mass extinction is often followed by ______.单项选择题

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Diversity increases rapidly following a mass extinction because...

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