Dicynodonts Were Pig-Sized Reptiles That Lived During the Permian Geologic

Multiple Choice

Dicynodonts were pig-sized reptiles that lived during the Permian geologic period. An increase in dicynodont species diversity occurred soon after the Permian extinction. Given what you know of this period, this increase in dicynodont species diversity represents , most likely due to .

A) adaptive radiation; a morphological innovation among dicynodonts
B) competitive exclusion; the fact that they needed new food sources
C) adaptive radiation; the availability of previously unoccupied niches
D) competitive exclusion; intrasexual selection leading to anagenesis