Question

Read the passage and answer the following question.

A total of 12 bird species having distinct diets, behavior, coloration and beak shapes inhabit a large volcanic island in the South Atlantic 500 miles from the Coast of Africa not found on the mainland. Two species are flightless herbivores. A bird found on the mainland is related to these bird species but it does not fly over water but can occasionally survive at sea in a storm. There are no reptiles, mammals or amphibians on the island, although there are many insect and plant species.

The evolution of two flightless bird species on the island indicates

• A. Flight improved the ability of the species to escape predators, but impaired food gathering on the ground.
• B. Flight originally evolved only to escape predators.
• C. Mimicry is a highly effective evolutionary strategy.
• D. The species had greater fitness without the ability to fly.
• E. Flight is not an effective means to escape predators.

Answer 1

The correct option is D The species had greater fitness without the ability to fly.

According to Charles Darwin, Natural selection is a tool of nature to impose the survival of the fittest. As some species fight to become the fittest, they adapt. Many organisms due to this, evolved, got adapted as they chose to survive in that habitat. Adaptation is the biggest drive to evolution and the pinpointed conclusion of the natural selection.

So, the correct option is 'The species had greater fitness without the ability to fly'.