Question

Can adaptive evolution occur even when every individual in a population is born exactly identical to its parent and remains unchanged throughout its life?

Answer 1

No. Adaptive evolution takes place when any change takes place in the individuals so as to meet the change of environment during their life span. But here, as they are remaining unchanged throughout their life, hence it can be called as adaptive evolution.

In adaptive evolution, when any change takes place in the environment, they changes themselves instead of remains unchanged, so that they can survive in that changing environment. The change is again transmitted to their offspring ( as offspring are identical to their parents). Hence, the adaptive character is also present in the offspring, which helps them to survive in that changed environment.

But here as the individuals remains unchanged throughout its life, hence adaptive evolution can't takes place. It can take place only when they will change themselves in a little or more amount during their life span.