Final answer:
Determining specific evolutionary changes within the process of adaptation is challenging without comparing closely related species, as such comparisons illuminate shared genetic traits and the evolutionary history of the organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is difficult to determine specific evolutionary changes in the process of adaptation unless you can compare findings of one species to a closely related species. Without such a comparison, it may be challenging to isolate the particular traits that have been influenced by natural selection and differentiate between adaptation and other forms of change, such as genetic drift. This comparison is essential because it helps in identifying shared genetic traits and inferring the evolutionary history of the organisms involved.
An example is comparing the beak sizes and shapes of different species of Darwin's finches. Such comparisons can reveal how each species has adapted to its unique ecological niche. Understanding these adaptations can be complicated when closely related species are not available for comparison, making it hard to conclude about the evolutionary process that led to the current adaptations.