There are thirteen species of finch found on the Galapagos Islands. These finches are commonly referred to as "Darwin's Finches" and are a common example of natural selection and adaptive radiation. Which question would MOST help a scientist determine the level of biodiversity that exists among the thirteen species of finch on the Galapagos Islands? What is the most common beak color among the finches? How many finches are more than five years old? Which species of finch has the greatest average mass? What variation exists between the species for traits like beak size and shape?
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Determine the level of biodiversity, that exists among the thirteen species of finch on the Galapagos Islands. Show more…
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Sri K.
The 13 species of finches on the Galapagos Islands evolved from a single species that migrated to the islands several million years ago. Different finch species live on different islands. A major difference among finch species is in their beaks: both size and shape vary greatly. Assume that a population of one of these finch species is undergoing evolution by natural selection with respect to beak size and shape. What changes occur gradually over time that indicate the population is evolving? All finches in each new generation develop the same new, improved beak size and shape. Each finch's learned ability to use its beak is automatically passed on to its offspring. The proportions of finches having different beak sizes/shapes change across generations. Within their lifetimes, some individual finches' beaks change in size or shape.
Scientists have long believed that the 14 species of finches on the Galapagos Islands evolved from a single species of finch that migrated to the islands one to five million years ago (Lack, 1940). Recent DNA analyses support the conclusion that all of the Galapagos finches evolved from the warbler finch (Grant, Grant & Petren, 2001; Petren, Grant & Grant, 1999). Different species live on different islands. For example, the medium ground finch and the cactus finch live on one island. The large cactus finch occupies another island. One of the major changes in the finches is in their beak sizes and shapes. What is the best way to describe the evolutionary changes that occur in a finch population over time? Group of answer choices: The frequency of finches having different traits within a population change Successful behaviors learned by finches are passed on to offspring The traits of EACH finch within a population gradually change Mutations occur to meet the needs of the finches as the environment changes
Kelan H.
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