Darwin's study of feeding patterns in Galapagos finches was one of the cornerstones of our understanding of adaptation and evolution. The results of that study don't apply just to finches however, but to birds of all shapes and sizes. Why is beak morphology so important to birds?

a. different species of birds can divide ecological spaces between them my matching the morphology to the food source.

b. most birds are strict herbivores so they can each feed on different types of plants depending on food availability.

c. the beak of most birds is integral to interspecies communication and differentiation

d. much like hindlimb morphology, beaks vary to allow different locomotory lifestyles

e. all of the above are correct

Question

Biology

Emanuel Shea

6 October, 04:28

Darwin's study of feeding patterns in Galapagos finches was one of the cornerstones of our understanding of adaptation and evolution. The results of that study don't apply just to finches however, but to birds of all shapes and sizes. Why is beak morphology so important to birds?

a. different species of birds can divide ecological spaces between them my matching the morphology to the food source.

b. most birds are strict herbivores so they can each feed on different types of plants depending on food availability.

c. the beak of most birds is integral to interspecies communication and differentiation

d. much like hindlimb morphology, beaks vary to allow different locomotory lifestyles

e. all of the above are correct

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Rhys Meadows · Answer 1

a. different species of birds can divide ecological spaces between them my matching the morphology to the food source.

Explanation:

Beak morphology allows the birds to select the suitable food type. The various species of Galapagos finches differ from each other in beak shape and size irrespective of their origin from common seed-eating stock.

The modification of beak shape and size into several directions allowed the finches to occupy the available empty ecological niches with respect to food types.

Diversification also reduced the competition between them and allowed the finches to colonize various ecological niches in accordance with their respective beak morphology.