The evolution of numerous species, such as Darwin's finches from a single ancestor called adaptive radiation.
The evolution of numerous species, such as Darwin's finches from a single ancestor is called adaptive radiation.
Peter R. Grant has written: 'Ecology and Evolution of Darwin's Finches' -- subject(s): Ecology, Evolution, Finches 'Evolution on Islands' 'The evolution of Darwin's finches, mockingbirds and flies' -- subject(s): Finches, Evolution (Biology), Evolution, Flies, Mockingbirds
share a common ancestor and have evolved to adapt to different ecological niches on the islands. This observation provided evidence for Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.
Darwin believed the finches he observed shared a common ancestor due to their morphological similarities and the variations in their beak shapes, which were adapted to different food sources on the Galápagos Islands. He noted that these adaptations reflected the finches' environments, suggesting a process of natural selection. This led him to propose that over time, the original ancestor diversified into multiple species, each suited to its specific niche. This concept of descent with modification became a cornerstone of his theory of evolution.
Basically, divergence is the "default mode" of evolution. So virtually all species you can think of would be examples of divergence. Even in cases of parallel and convergent evolution, the underlying genomes will continue to diverge. An often used example of divergent evolution in the morphological and behavioural sense is Darwin's finches.
The evolution of Darwin's finches is an example of adaptive radiation, where a common ancestor diversifies into multiple species to exploit different ecological niches within a relatively short period of time. This process led to the development of distinct beak shapes and sizes specialized for different diets on the Galápagos Islands.
South America
how finches use their beaks
Galapagos finches
It is thought that the finches have a common ancestor. Separated on different islands, each island eventually produced different finches.
The 14 varieties of finches are most likely the result of adaptive radiation, where a common ancestor finch species diversified to fill different ecological niches on the Galapagos Islands over time. This diversification occurred as the finches adapted to different food sources and environmental conditions on the various islands.
Charles Darwin had a particular fondness for a variety of animals, but he is often noted for his admiration of finches, particularly the Galápagos finches. These birds were crucial to his studies on natural selection and evolution. Additionally, he had a deep interest in other species, such as dogs, which he studied for their behavior and domestication. Overall, his work reflected a profound appreciation for the diversity of life.