evolution of Galapagos Island finches?
tootssss asked:
On the archipelago of the Galapagos Islands, which most geologists believe to be of volcanic origin without ever having had any land connection with the west coast of South America, Darwin discovered a small group of finches. These birds have since been classified into more than a dozen species. These birds have differences, particularly in their adaptions for food getting. It is believed that all of these species are descendants of a single species, which migrated from the mainland. On the mainland there has never been more than a single species even though the rate of mutations is thought to be the same in both locations.
On the archipelago of the Galapagos Islands, which most geologists believe to be of volcanic origin without ever having had any land connection with the west coast of South America, Darwin discovered a small group of finches. These birds have since been classified into more than a dozen species. These birds have differences, particularly in their adaptions for food getting. It is believed that all of these species are descendants of a single species, which migrated from the mainland. On the mainland there has never been more than a single species even though the rate of mutations is thought to be the same in both locations.
Why has the mainland species not differentiated into more than one species???