Darwin observed finches with many different shapes and sizes of beaks on the Galapagos Islands. He noticed that these finches lived in different areas of islands and on different islands that had different food sources. The beaks of finches that lived in a particular area were adapted better for eating the food available in that area. For example, the medium ground finches were well adapted for eating small seeds, an abundant food source on the island. During a severe drought, many plants that produced the small seeds died, limiting small seeds available for food. Another food source for the birds was a larger, harder seed produced by a different plant.
What do you predict would occur? Choose all THREE that apply.
Responses
A Some of the medium ground finches left to find food sources in other places.Some of the medium ground finches left to find food sources in other places.
B The finches all died.The finches all died.
C Birds with thicker beaks were able to eat the larger seeds and had less competition for food allowing them to survive and reproduce.Birds with thicker beaks were able to eat the larger seeds and had less competition for food allowing them to survive and reproduce.
D The medium ground finches developed thicker, larger beaks.The medium ground finches developed thicker, larger beaks.
E The medium ground finches competed for the limited number of small seeds and many of them died.
