Hi. I need more help with this question.

Question

On the archipelago of the Galapagos Islands, which most geologists believe to be of volcanic origin without ever having had any land connection with the west coast of South America, Darwin discovered a group of small finches. These birds have since been classified into more than a dozen species. These birds have differences, particu-larly in their adaptations for food-getting. It is believed that all these species are descendants of a single species which migrated from the mainland. On the mainland there has never been more than a single species even though the rate of mutations 
is thought to be the same in both locations.

Explain how each of the following could have played a role in the development of the 
many species of Galapagos finches:

a.  polyploidy
b.  genetic drift
c.  geographic isolation
d.  unoccupied ecologic niche
e.  Explain why the mainland species has not differentiated into more than one species.

thank you so much for all your help. I really really appreciate it. I have to write a lot so any information for these would be extremely helpful

Writeacher · Answer

"bio" = Biology (not biography!)

Ms. Sue · Answer

I arleady explained how an unoccupied ecologic niche can be filled.

This definition of polyploidy should help you.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/polyploidy%20

If you post your other answers, we'll be glad to comment on them.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/polyploidy%20

phil · Answer

i need help explaining the geographic isolation part

Writeacher · Answer

"the Galapagos Islands, which most geologists believe to be of volcanic origin without ever having had any land connection with the west coast of South America," Isn't that geographic isolation??