Question

The term Darwin's finches was given to Galapagos finches by
A. Huxley
B. Spencer
C. Wallace
B. Lank

Answer 1

The small blackbirds are good example of adaptive radiation. Adaptive radiation is a type of radiation in which different species evolve in a given geographical area starting from a point and radiating to the other area of habitats.

Step by step answer: Charles Robert Darwin known for his contribution in evolution theory studied the plant and animals of Galapagos island. He observed that on Galapagos island there were small blackbirds which differed mainly in the feeding habits and shape of beaks. The name Darwin finches used by David Lank in his popular book Darwin’s Finches. Due to the popularity of this book the Galapagos finches also known as Darwin Finches. The term Darwin's finches were given to Galapagos finches by Lank.
So, the correct option is (D)
Additional Information: In Galapagos island due to a variety of food eating habits the beak of Galapagos finches evolved differently and hence in Galapagos island Darwin observed different species of finches which differed mainly in the shape of beaks. The different food eating habits developed a due variety of food on Galapagos island, so the original seed-eating ancestor birds evolved into different food eating birds.

Note: Australian marsupials are also good examples of adaptive radiation. Marsupials are the members of mammals having a pouch to carry their young’s ones. Marsupials like Koala, Kangaroo, Wombat originated from an ancestral marsupial within the same island Australia. Different varieties of marsupials differ from each other in morphology. Placental mammals also evolve through adaptive radiation and develop into different varieties.