feeding adaptations in finches 

nest construction adaptations 

variations in seed size 

variations in ecosystems 

probing, only 

probing or grasping 

crushing or probing 

parrotlike feeding or grasping 

a) natural selection

b) gravity

c) heredity

d) string theory

artificial selection

geographical distribution

natural selection

disuse of the beak

To look different from other species.

To be able to eat the food readily available in the environment.

To protect itself against predators.

To protect itself against prey.

Because they are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Because they come from dominant alleles.

Because they come from recessive alleles.

Because the trait is an acquired phenotype.

DNA

tRNA

genotype

phenotype

Water

Food

Shelter

They arose because of their need to be able to eat different food.

The arose by chance (random mutation).

The environment made the change happen.

The finches beaks changed a little at a time each generation.

Species

Variation

Mutation

Competition

Finch populations evolved over time to favor beaks based on food type

Finch populations had not evolved over time

The finch beaks had no relationship to the available food on the islands

Humans artificially selected finches based on their desired beak type

Maladaptations

Adaption

Variations

Adaptations

small ground finch and large ground finch 

large ground finch and sharp-billed ground finch 

small tree finch and medium ground finch 

vegetarian finch and small ground finch 

cactus finch 

sharp-billed ground finch 

warbler finch 

large ground finch 

stability 

variation 

complex cellular organization 

a very low mutation rate 

producers 

herbivores 

carnivores 

decomposers 

predation by humans 

available food sources 

oceanic storms 

lack of available niches 

gene manipulation by scientists 

gene changes resulting from mitotic cell division 

natural selection 

selective breeding 

1

2

3

4

mating behavior

nesting material

niche

predator

Each tortoise adapted to its environment during its lifetime.

Sudden mutations changed the appearance of all of the tortoises.

The tortoises grew different structures based on the available food.

Different adaptations gave some tortoises a better chance of survival.

Competition between the predators and the tortoises would have resulted in a greater number of long-necked tortoises.

The number of predators was greater than the number of tortoises.

Saddle-backed tortoises were not a part of the food chain.

Predators would have killed the tortoises with long necks, leaving more tortoises with shorter necks.

Large beak size is an adaptation to dry conditions.

Finches grow larger when they have more water.

Dry environments cause mutations in finches

Small finches become smaller during dry

seasons.

Over time, an abundance of seeds for food led to increased differences between the species.

Competition for limited food resources led to selection for different traits.

Over time, an abundance of seeds for food led to increased similarities between the species.

Competition for limited food resources led to selection for similar traits.

large numbers of other birds competing for food

birds adapting to different niches

birds occupying the same island

mutations occurring in every offspring

common ancestor

most successful

largest finch

parent of the other finches

Drought increases seed availability, and all ground finches would be more numerous.

Drought decreases seed availability, but has no influence on the ground finch.

The birds with smaller beaks would be more numerous.

The birds with larger beaks would be more numerous.

The medium ground finch would become a parasite of the introduced species.

The finches would not compete, since they both eat seeds.

The finches would interbreed and produce a new species of finch.

The medium ground finch would face increased competition for seeds

genetic engineering and selective breeding

unchanging environment and the need to reproduce

variation and recombination

mutation and cloning

the birds acquired larger beaks so they could take advantage of the supply of small seeds

different adaptations gave some birds a better chance for survival

the birds with smaller beaks mutated due to the drought so they produced more offspring

the environment caused the birds to exercise their beaks and the beaks became longer and stronger

a large variety of different-sized seeds

large seeds and insects

small seeds, only

insects and a limited number of small seeds

cactus finch

vegetarian finch

sharp-billed ground finch

woodpecker finch

warbler finch

sharp-billed ground finch

cactus finch

large ground finch

the genetic engineering of the DNA of each of these species

the selection for different shaped beaks that best suit different niches

the genetic recombination associated with mitotic cell division

asexual reproduction of these finch species

A and C

B and C

E and F

H and M

glucose testing

cloning

genetic engineering

dissection

Species C had many variations and lived in a stable, unchanging environment.

Species D, C, and J are extinct.

Species F evolved from species D.

Species J had little variation and lived in a changing environment.

The common ancestor most likely has segments of its DNA that will match each of the other organisms’.

The common ancestor is more closely related to macaques than to gibbons.

Orangutans and gorillas have exactly the same DNA as the common ancestor.

Chimps and baboons were the first organisms to evolve from the common ancestor.

tree finch

ground finch

warbler finch

ancestral finch

large ground finches

cactus finches

warbler finches

large tree finches

Lesser Koa finch and Nukupuu

Akialoa and Ou

Kauai akialoa and Maui parrot bill

Ou and Greater Koa finch

monkey and mouse

cow and horse

chimp and rat

horse and dog

Natural selection requires a minimum of 5 million years to occur.

Each new species that develops continues to exist through present time.

Natural selection occurs only as a result of mutations.

Some species that are no longer successful in their environment may become extinct.