Question

Mention Darwin's observations made on finches during his visit of Galapagos Islands. Write the explanation given by Darwin on his observations.

Answer 1

During his journey Darwin went to Galapagos Islands. There he observed an amazing diversity of creatures of particular interest, small black birds later called Darwin's Finches amazed him. He observed that there were many varieties of finches in the same island. All the varieties, he conjectured, evolved on the island itself. From the original seed-eating features, many other forms with altered beaks arose, enabling them to become insectivorous and vegetarian finches. While studying these birds he gave his theory of natural selection. According to his theory, there is a rapid multiplication of species in the environment. But due to limited food and space, there is always an interspecific struggle for existence. Therefore, only those individuals which are fit to survive in the existing environment are selected by nature. These organisms reproduce while others die. These variations which exist in the surviving individuals are passed to next generation and ultimately lead to evolution.