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Are Whales and Hippos Related? Quick Check
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Question
There are 13 species of Darwin’s finches on the Galapagos Islands. They have many similar features but differ in beak size and shape. Which explanation accounts for these characteristics?(1 point)
Responses

Finch species have similar diets.
Finch species have similar diets.

All finch species evolved from a common ancestor.
All finch species evolved from a common ancestor.

Finch species interbreed.
Finch species interbreed.

Each finch species evolved from a different ancestor.
Each finch species evolved from a different ancestor.
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1 answer

The best explanation that accounts for the similarities and differences among the 13 species of Darwin’s finches is:

All finch species evolved from a common ancestor.

This statement reflects the concept of adaptive radiation, where different species evolve from a common ancestor and adapt to various environmental niches, leading to diversity in traits like beak size and shape.