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Q6.4. The 14 species of finches on the Galapagos Islands evolved from a single species that migrated to the islands several million years ago. Different finch species live on different islands. A major difference among finch species is in their beaks: both size and shape vary greatly.

Assume that a population of one of these finch species is undergoing evolution by natural selection with respect to beak size and shape. What changes occur gradually over time that indicate the population is evolving?

A. Within their lifetimes, some individual finches' beaks change in size or shape.
B. The proportions of finches having different beak sizes/shapes change across generations.
C. Each finch's learned ability to use its beak is automatically passed on to its offspring.
D. All finches in each new generation develop the same new, improved beak size and shape.

Answer :

Final answer:

The major sign of ongoing evolution by natural selection in a finch population is a gradual shift in the distribution of beak sizes and shapes across generations. Important changes happen over generations, not within a finch's lifetime. The variation persists due to genetic variation, which facilitates ongoing evolution.

Explanation:

When a population of finch species is undergoing evolution by natural selection with respect to beak size and shape, the primary change observed gradually over time is a shift in the distribution of beak sizes or shapes across generations. This is due to the reproductive success of those individuals with beak morphologies that are best adapted to the present environmental conditions. It's important to note that these changes do not happen within a finch's lifetime, but across multiple generations. Also, while each finch's learned ability to use its beak can influence its survival and reproductive success, these learned abilities are not directly passed on to its offspring.

In other words, some beak sizes and shapes will become more prevalent in the population over time because the finches with these beak traits will have a higher survival rate and will produce more offspring, thereby passing these traits to following generations. It's also important to understand that not every finch in each new generation will develop the exact same beak size and shape. The variation in beak morphology persists in the population due to genetic variation, which is critical for continuous evolution by natural selection.

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