Adaption to the environment is how Darwin explained the differences in shell shape. Hood Island tortoises needed to reach up with their necks further for food than the Isabela Island tortoises.
he didnt lol
he didnt lol
Darwin proposed that the differences in shell shape of tortoises from Hood Island and Isabela Island were adaptations to their respective environments. He suggested that tortoises on Hood Island had developed dome-shaped shells to reach higher vegetation, while those on Isabela Island had saddle-shaped shells for easier access to lower vegetation. This variation in shell shape helped the tortoises better survive and reproduce in their specific habitats.
While Charles Darwin was in Galapagos, he visited the islands of Floreana, Isabela, San Cristóbal, and Santiago only.
Many Galapagos tortoises are breeded in captivity through the Charles Darwin Research Station in conjunction with the Galapagos National Park. This is to help preserve the variety of species and increase the tortoise population on various islands. The tortoises are numbered and eventually released back into the wild. On Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabela Islands there are Galapagos Tortoise breeding centers that make significant differences in the preservaton of these beautiful creatures.
Darwin explained the differences in shell shapes of tortoises from Hood Island and Isabel Island as adaptations to their specific environments. The tortoises from Hood Island, which had sparse vegetation, evolved to have saddle-shaped shells that allowed them to stretch their necks to reach higher plants. In contrast, the tortoises from Isabel Island, where vegetation was more abundant, developed dome-shaped shells that provided better protection and support for their feeding habits. This variation highlighted the role of natural selection in shaping species based on their ecological niches.
The Galapagos finches and the Galapagos tortoises.
Variation in length of the tortoises' necks
tortoises
Charles Darwin visited Floreana, Isabela, San Cristóbal, and Santiago islands
turtles have shells....
Darwin likely recognized that the tortoises from different islands shared similar physical characteristics, such as shell shape and size, indicating a common ancestry. He also observed variations in these traits that corresponded to the distinct environments of each island, suggesting adaptation to local conditions. Additionally, the tortoises' similar behaviors and biological features would have pointed to their classification as the same species despite the observable differences.