adaptive zone

views updated May 11 2018

adaptive zone The abstract area that a taxon occupies by virtue of its adaptations, when it is considered together with its associated environmental regime(s), habitat, or niche. The adaptive specialization that fits the taxon to its environment, and hence the adaptive zone, may be narrow (as with the giant panda, which eats only certain types of bamboo shoots) or broad (as with the brown bear, which is omnivorous).

adaptive zone

views updated May 18 2018

adaptive zone A taxon that is considered together with its associated environmental regime(s), habitat, or niche. The adaptive specialization that fits the taxon to its environment, and hence the adaptive zone, may be narrow (as with the giant panda, which eats only certain types of bamboo shoots) or broad (as with the brown bear, which is omnivorous).

adaptive zone

views updated May 17 2018

adaptive zone A taxon, together with its associated environmental regime or regimes, habitat, or niche. The adaptive specialization that fits the taxon to its environment may be narrow, as with the giant panda, which eats only certain types of bamboo shoots, or broad, as with the brown bear, which is omnivorous. In dietary terms, therefore, these two mammals occupy narrow and broad adaptive zones respectively.

adaptive zone

views updated May 08 2018

adaptive zone The adaptive specialization(s) that fit the taxon to its environment, e.g. feeding habits.