NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -From 1831 to 1836, Darwin traveled around the world, observing animals on different continents and islands. On the Galapagos Islands, Darwin observed several species of finches with unique beak shapes.

Detailed explanation-2: -He noticed that each finch species had a different type of beak, depending on the food available on its island. The finches that ate large nuts had strong beaks for breaking the nuts open. Finches that ate small nuts and seeds had beaks for cracking nuts and seeds.

Detailed explanation-3: -On the Galápagos, finches evolved based on different food sources-long, pointed beaks served well for snatching insects while broad, blunt beaks work best for cracking seeds and nuts.

Detailed explanation-4: -Eventually Darwin theorized that different species of finch had evolved on different islands, their distinctive beaks being an adaptation to distinct natural habitats or environmental niches.

Detailed explanation-5: -On his visit to the Galapagos Islands, Charles Darwin also discovered several species of finches that varied from island to island, which helped him to develop his theory of natural selection. Today, there are a total of 14 of which make up the group known as Darwin’s finches.