Question

Explain the changes that were observed in the Galapagos island flinch beaks from the 1976-1978. Why did the population of flinches change? What trait became predominant? What trait became suppressed?

Answer 1

The 1976-1978 Galapagos Island flinch beak size changed significantly, resulting in a change in the population of finches. The trait that became predominant was the larger beak size, as the drier climate caused a scarcity of the small seeds that more easily fit a small beak, while the larger seeds that remained could only be reached by finches with larger beaks. Thus, the trait of a larger beak became favoured and became more dominant in the population. As a result, the trait of having a smaller beak became suppressed in the population, as the finches with small beak sizes became outcompeted and unable to survive.