Question

All the varieties of Darwin’s finches had evolved on the island itself from an ancestral species by the beak specialization based on the feeding habitat. The original variety of Darwin’s finch had a beak specialized in ___________.

• A. seed-eating
• B. cactus-eating
• C. insect-eating
• D. fruit-eating

Answer 1

The correct option is A seed-eating

Darwin’s finches are small birds which were studied by Darwin on Galapagos island. The original ancestral species of Darwin’s finch were seed eating types. As time passed competition arose among the individuals due to food scarcity and an increased population of birds. The food available in different niches were different like fruits, cactus, insects, etc. In order to utilise the food and reduce competition, many other forms with altered beaks arose from the original seed eating variety.