6 Questions
Which of the following statements accurately describes the impact of drought on the Galapagos finches?
Finches with larger beaks were able to survive by feeding on larger, harder seeds.
What happened after heavy rains on the island, leading to an abundance of vines and smaller seeds?
Finches with larger beaks struggled to pick up the smaller seeds produced by the vines.
Which of the following statements best represents the concept of a species, based on the information provided?
A species is a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
Which of the following statements accurately describes the findings of the scientists studying the Galapagos finches?
The scientists were surprised to observe changes in the finches' beak sizes over such a short timescale.
Based on the information provided, which of the following statements best supports the concept of evolution?
Changing environments led to changing traits in the Galapagos finches over short periods of time.
Which of the following statements accurately describes the impact of the drought on the Galapagos finches' beak size?
The surviving finches and the following generation had a larger average beak size.
Study Notes
Galapagos Islands and Finches
- The Galapagos Islands are a unique habitat for many species found nowhere else, with 13 species of finches inhabiting multiple islands and various habitats.
- The islands are geologically young, formed from volcanic activity 5 million years ago, and have evolved from a lifeless state to support a diverse range of species.
Daphne Major and Finches' Beaks
- Daphne Major is home to the Galapagos Finches, which have adapted to different environments, including trees on hilly grounds and cactus on lower altitudes.
Evolution and Adaptation
- During a drought, smaller seeds became scarce, and finches had to eat larger and harder seeds, which only birds with larger beaks could open.
- As a result, 80% of medium ground finches died, and the surviving ones had larger beaks.
- The next generation of finches had a larger average beak size, a rapid evolutionary change observed in a short period.
- Conversely, after heavy rains, the abundance of smaller seeds increased, and finches with larger beaks struggled to eat them, leading to a higher survival rate for finches with smaller beaks.
- The subsequent generation of finches had a smaller average beak size, demonstrating the evolutionary response to changing environments.
Implications of Evolution
- The Galapagos finches' beak size adaptations demonstrate the power of evolution in response to environmental changes, even over short periods.
- The findings raise questions about the replicability of these observations in other species and environmental contexts.
- The changing beak size traits of finches in response to varying seed availability provide evidence for evolution in action.
Test your knowledge on the unique finch species found in the Galapagos Islands, specifically on Daphne Major. Learn about the evolution of these finches, the diverse habitats they inhabit, and the environmental factors that have shaped their beak variations.
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