Question

Studies regarding a certain species of finch in the Galápagos Islands have revealed that the birds in the population all have slightly different sized beaks. Large beaks are better for cracking large dry seeds, and smaller beaks are superior for picking up small seeds that are abundant during wet periods.
According to Darwin's theory of natural selection, what could logically be predicted about the average beak size in the finch population during a decade of drought?

there is no way to predict beak size from the data provided

beak size would decrease

beak size would not change

beak size would increase

Answer 1

According to Darwin's theory of natural selection, during a decade of drought when large dry seeds are more abundant, it would be logical to predict that the average beak size in the finch population would increase. This is because finches with larger beaks would have a survival advantage in accessing the larger seeds, leading to a higher likelihood of survival and reproduction for those individuals. Over time, this would result in more offspring with larger beaks, shifting the average beak size in the population upward. Therefore, the correct answer is:

**beak size would increase.**