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After the drought of 1977, researchers hypothesized that on the Galápagos Island Daphne Major, medium ground finches with large, deep beaks survived better than those with smaller beaks because they could more easily crack and eat the tough *Tribulus cistoides* fruits. A tourist company sets up reliable feeding stations with a variety of bird seeds (different types and sizes) so that tourists can get a better look at the finches.

Which of these events is now most likely to occur to finch beaks on this island?

A. Finch beaks may evolve to become smaller as the availability of different seed types makes large beaks less advantageous.
B. Finch beaks will become larger as only those with larger beaks will be able to access the feeding stations.
C. Finch beak size will remain unchanged because the feeding stations offer a variety of seeds.
D. Finch beaks may develop a preference for one particular seed type, altering their beak structure accordingly.

Answer :

Final answer:

The presence of feeding stations on Daphne Major offering a variety of seeds is likely to decrease the survival advantage of medium ground finches with large beaks, potentially leading to a more varied range of beak sizes and possibly a decrease in average beak size.

Explanation:

Following the establishment of reliable feeding stations by a tourist company on Daphne Major, which provides a variety of bird seeds, the natural selection pressures that led to an increase in beak size during the 1977 drought are likely to change. With the presence of feeding stations offering seeds of various sizes, the survival advantage held by finches with large, deep beaks may diminish, as smaller-beaked finches could now have better access to food resources. Consequently, we can expect a more diverse range of beak sizes to survive and reproduce, potentially leading to a decrease in the average beak size over time. This scenario illustrates how human activities can influence the direction of evolution by natural selection within a population, reinforcing the dynamic nature of evolutionary processes.

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Rewritten by : Barada

Answer:

Increased variation in beak size and shape over time

Explanation:

By facilitating feeding stations to the finches, there will be some finches that, differently from others, will not have to crack and eat the tough Tribulus Cistoides fruits. They will have easier access to their food, and this will affect the size and shape of their beak.