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What reason did scientists have for going to the islands where finches were?

A. Study the climate
B. Study the food
C. Study how traits change over time
D. None of these

Answer :

Final answer:

Scientists studied the finches to examine how traits change over time due to natural selection. Their long-term research has shown significant adaptations in beak size in response to changes in food availability caused by environmental factors. The work of Peter and Rosemary Grant provides compelling evidence of evolution in action.


Explanation:

Study of Galápagos Finches

The reason scientists, particularly Peter and Rosemary Grant, went to the Galápagos islands where the finches are found is to study how traits change over time through natural selection. Their research, ongoing since 1976, has centered on the medium ground finch on Daphne Major, which has provided clear evidence for evolution in response to environmental changes.

During various weather events, such as periods of drought initiated by El Niño phenomena, the availability of seeds changes, leading to shifts in the finch populations. For instance, during a drought in 1977, large seeds became scarce, favoring birds with larger beaks that could crack tougher seeds. Consequently, these birds survived and reproduced, resulting in a population with larger average beak sizes. Conversely, in more favorable conditions after the drought, smaller-billed birds thrived when soft seeds became abundant, illustrating the dynamic nature of evolutionary pressures.

Key Findings

  • The Grants observed beak size variations based on food availability.
  • Natural selection led to observable evolutionary changes in finch populations.
  • This process is a profound demonstration of how species adapt to their changing environments.

Learn more about evolution here:

https://brainly.com/question/40375447


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