species radiation
nounUK /ˈspiːʃiːz ˌreɪdiˈeɪʃən/
US /ˈspiːʃiːz ˌreɪdiˈeɪʃən/
When one kind of animal or plant splits into many new kinds over a long time.
The species radiation of finches on the islands produced many different beak shapes.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The fast spread of one group of living things into many new forms to fill different roles in nature.
The species radiation of mammals after the dinosaurs died filled many empty niches.
3. A burst of new species forming from a single ancestor line.
Scientists studied the species radiation of cichlid fish in the lake.
4. The spreading out of related organisms into many habitats and lifestyles.
Island species radiation often happens when birds arrive with no predators around.