Question

One species of finch was originally colonized in Galapagos Islands. Today these islands contain many species of finches that occupy diverse niches.

This is most likely resulted from

I.	Biological magnification
II.	Convergent evolution
III.	Adaptive radiation

• A. I only
• B. II only
• C. III only
• D. II and III only
• E. I, II and III

Answer 1

The correct option is C III only

Diversification of ancestral line into different forms which in turn occupy diverse ecological niche is referred to as adaptive radiation. For example, the ancestral seed eating stock of Darwin’s finches diversified according to different types of food (plants, seeds, insects, cactus etc.) available and developed type of beak adapted to that food. The geographical isolation led reproductive isolation and thus, the evolution of new species of finches from the parental stock.

Development of similar structure in two distant organisms as a response to adaptation to same environmental conditions is referred to as convergent evolution.

Biological magnification is an accumulation of substances over subsequent trophic levels in the food chain.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C.