What pattern was observed in Darwin's finches that illustrates adaptive divergence?

What pattern was observed in Darwin's finches that illustrates adaptive divergence?

• A. Uniform beak shapes across all islands
• B. No relationship between beak shape and food source
• C. Variation in beak size and shape linked to food sources, with island-specific divergence
• D. Finches remained unchanged after colonization

Answer: (C)

Adaptive divergence shows how related populations become different because they face different local environments. In Darwin’s finches, beak size and shape varied among islands in ways that matched the foods available there. On islands with hard, tough seeds, selection favored deeper, stronger beaks; on other islands with different diets, beaks differed to suit those foods. Over generations, these island-specific differences accumulated, producing distinct beak morphologies tied to each island’s food sources from a common ancestral lineage. This is a clear example of how natural selection drives diversification in response to local ecological opportunities.

Adaptive divergence shows how related populations become different because they face different local environments. In Darwin’s finches, beak size and shape varied among islands in ways that matched the foods available there. On islands with hard, tough seeds, selection favored deeper, stronger beaks; on other islands with different diets, beaks differed to suit those foods. Over generations, these island-specific differences accumulated, producing distinct beak morphologies tied to each island’s food sources from a common ancestral lineage. This is a clear example of how natural selection drives diversification in response to local ecological opportunities.