Evolution
natural selection
He noticed that there were different species of finches.
they all evolved from one finch by natural selection.
It acts on populations.
Galapagos (gu LAHP uh Gus)
Populations evolve, but individuals are selected. Natural selection affects individual organisms.
Peter Grant studied the finches of the Galapagos Islands to understand how natural selection and adaptive radiation contribute to the evolution of new species. His goal was to investigate how environmental factors drive changes in beak morphology and behavior among different finch populations.
Directional Selection
The Galapagos finches were studied extensively by Charles Darwin and were instrumental in his theory of evolution. They show adaptive radiation, meaning they evolved to fit different niches in their habitat.
Natural selection
Darwin discovered unique species of finches and tortoises in the Galapagos Islands that helped shape his theory of evolution by natural selection. He observed how these species had adapted to different environments on different islands, leading him to propose that species can evolve over time to better suit their surroundings.
By observing animals on the Galapagos islands.