Why do new species evolve more rapidly after a mass extinction?

Few organisms survive, which allows the remaining organisms to reproduce rapidly.

Mutations increase during mass extinctions, which then increase the rate of evolution.

Ecological niches become available for organisms to evolve into by adaptive radiation.

There is a lot more food available, so the remaining organisms are able to flourish.

Question

Why do new species evolve more rapidly after a mass extinction?

Few organisms survive, which allows the remaining organisms to reproduce rapidly.

Mutations increase during mass extinctions, which then increase the rate of evolution.

Ecological niches become available for organisms to evolve into by adaptive radiation.

There is a lot more food available, so the remaining organisms are able to flourish.

anonymous · Answer

Ecological niches become available for organisms to evolve into by adaptive radiation.