Question

After the drought of 1977, researchers hypothesized that on the Galápagos island Daphne Major, medium ground finches with large, deep beaks survived better than those with smaller beaks because they could more easily crack and eat the tough Tribulus cistoides fruits. A tourist company sets up reliable feeding stations with a variety of bird seeds (different types and sizes) so that tourists can get a better look at the finches. Which of these events is now most likely to occur to finch beaks on this island?A) evolution of yet larger, deeper beaks over time, until all birds have relatively large, deep beaksB) evolution of smaller, pointier beaks over time, until all birds have relatively small, pointy beaksC) increased variation in beak size and shape over timeD) no change in beak size and shape over time

Answer 1

With the presence of reliable feeding stations providing various seeds, there is likely to be increased variation in finch beak size and shape on Daphne Major, leading to a more diverse finch population.

Step-by-step explanation:

After the introduction of reliable feeding stations by a tourist company on the Galápagos island of Daphne Major, it is most likely that finch beaks would show increased variation in size and shape over time. This scenario would occur because the artificial food source removes the need for specialized beak types that evolved due to natural selection pressures. With a variety of seeds available, there is less advantage to having a beak specialized for a specific seed type. This is in contrast to the situation that led to the evolution of larger beaks following the 1977 drought, where the natural food scarcity meant that finches with larger beaks were more likely to survive. Now, with the removal of this selective pressure, finches with a wider range of beak sizes and shapes can thrive and reproduce, potentially leading to a more diverse finch population.