Question
Question: The diversity in the type of beaks of finches adapted to different feeding habits on the Galapagos I...
The diversity in the type of beaks of finches adapted to different feeding habits on the Galapagos Island, as observed by Darwin, provides evidence for
A. Origin of Species by natural selection
B. Intraspecific variations
C. Intraspecific competition
D. Interspecific competition
Solution
The adaptations can be defined as changes in organism according to their local environmental conditions. In order to live in changing environmental conditions, each organism has to change itself for their best survival.
Complete answer:
Darwin was an evolutionary scientist who visited many islands of North America called Galapagos Island and studied many species of birds there. On the basis of his study, he published his book Origin of Species, in which he concluded that new species are produced according to their environmental conditions.
At Galapagos Island, he has identified different types of finches, which have different shapes and sizes of beaks. He suggested that their ancestors on reaching empty Islands of Galapagos, they occupied ecological niches and according to local environmental conditions, they changed themselves into a new species. Darwin called this type of adaptation natural selection.
Intraspecific variation means the variation arising within the members of the same species.
Intraspecific competition stands for competition between members of the same species for food, mate and shelter.
For example competition between small and large neck giraffes in Africa for food. Interspecific competition stands for competition between the members of different species for food and shelter.
Hence, the correct answer is option (A), because the natural selection helps in the formation of new species.
Note: The concept of natural selection is a great concept because all the living species present on earth are changing them according to this concept. Their local environmental conditions play an important role in their evolution.