How can resource partitioning lead to adaptive radiation?
Resource partitioning refers to the phenomenon where different species within an ecological community use the available resources in different ways or at different times, allowing them to coexist without directly competing with each other. As a result of resource partitioning, species may evolve different traits or adaptations to better exploit a specific resource or niche, which can lead to adaptive radiation.
For example, imagine an ancestral species of finch that feeds primarily on seeds. However, when environmental pressures (e.g. drought, competition) reduce the availability of large seeds, some individuals within the population with deeper beaks are better able to crack open small seeds and survive. Over time, the population may diverge into different species with beaks specialized for different seed types, leading to adaptive radiation.
Overall, resource partitioning allows for the coexistence of multiple species within a community, and the evolution of different traits allows them to exploit specific resources or niches more effectively, which can drive adaptive evolution and diversification.