Evolution in Seed-Eating Finches

Payoff matrix value change in the above three figures, because it is dependent of the fitness. Hawks had less payoff matrix compared to doves even though they were fitter than doves (fig; 1, and 2). Evolutionary stability was achieved at 10% of benefit of winning, coast of injury, loss, and 5% coast of display. The proportion of hawks to doves was 0.583 to 0.417, and the total difference between hawks and dove’s fitness was 0. For allele with different phenotype to exist in a population with equal fitness their allele’s frequency doesn’t have to be the same. In this experiment (fig.3) by decreasing the coast of injury, loss, and coast of display dove’s fitness was increased when they have to compute with hawks, meanwhile by decreasing the coast

To compare the impact of evolution on different organisms a study was conducted by: carefully examining the species of birds with each other. This was accomplished through using a sample population of 200 birds. Moreover, there were other factors that were taken into account (in order to ensure objectivity and accuracy). The below table is illustrating those factors that were considered to be the most important during this study. ("Evolution Lab," 2012)

The Grant’s are capable of studying Darwin’s theory of natural selection in action, after gathering data from their colleagues, Peter Boag and Laurene Ratcliffe, who would be their watch on Daphne Island. Peter and Laurene witnessed an important event in natural selection, during a life or death situation with the finches. Though the two scientists were anxious for rain, but they did not receive a single drop that season. Rain would mean reproduction and fertility for the finches; however, the birds were faced with e horrible drought. Food became scarce and the finch population declined. Easy seeds to obtain on the ground were nearly gone. The seeds with tougher defenses, such as the caltrop, were usually untouched, since they were hard to crack. The finches with inadequate beaks did not

The Evolution Lab simulates environmental situations to determine effects on evolution over periods of time. This lab experiments with the evolution of finches on two different islands over 100, 200, and 300 years. By manipulating parameters that influence natural selection, the effects that natural selection have on the evolution process can be studied.

The Avis Papyrus, more commonly known as the Carmel Origami Bird, native to the sparsely spaced Cool Creek Islands, was subject to a study of its evolutionary success. These birds must travel long distances to get between the islands they inhabit in order to survive long enough to produce offspring; meaning that being able to fly long distances aids in their fitness. The development of these beneficial characteristics are possible because of something called natural selection. Natural selection is the gradual process over the course of generations where a species gradually develops and excludes traits and characteristics (Fukuyama, 2004). This is to help increase reproductive success of an organism and increase the animals fitness. The experiment looked at how natural selection led to their evolution and it’s raw data shows evidence that the Origami Birds have met evolutionary success due to natural selection.

In 1977 a drought reduced the number of small seeds available for the birds, forcing them to rely on larger seeds and nuts, which were difficult for birds with smaller beaks to open. The number of birds unable to eat reduced as they died and gave way to harder beaked finches. Within a couple of generations they had evolved larger beaks. In 2003 another drought struck the Galapagos and as there were many large beaked finches, the food source of nuts dwindled, making the ability to eat smaller seeds an asset. The numbers of larger beaked birds dwindled as food became scarce, leaving the smaller birds to survive and reproduce. Darwin’s theory was not well received when first written in On the Origin of Species, though many scientists today use it as a basis for research in evolution.

• Be able to use the terms variation, adaptation, natural selection, and evolution as they apply to this and

As seen with Anolis, single species of organisms have the ability to undergo adaptive radiation and become new species by filling niches in a given environment. This is prevalent not only in Anolis, but other model organisms as well, such as finches, sticklebacks, and cichlids. All of these organisms have gone through the similar mechanisms and processes to evolve into different species. Alike to Anolis, they have gone through reproductive isolation, adaptation, and convergent evolution. Due to a poor fossil record of Anolis, the other model organisms may give better outlook on how they have diverged overtime. Further investigations on all of these organisms and their evolutionary mechanisms would not only give better a better idea of ecological speciation, but more comprehension on the origin of all

Assignments 1: I developed a hypothesis to predict that the island with the finches with the larger beak will be able to adapt more rapidly to their surrounding and handle the hard seeds of their island verses the island with the finches with the smaller beaks. I left the primary beak size on Darwin

He explains that desirable traits are passed from parents to offspring and variation exists among the offspring. The “genetic map” mentioned previously was used to determine the linkage of organisms to their ancestors; therefore, Kingsolver produces a compelling argument that the hummingbird was able to build its complex nest due to principle of evolution.

1. Define evolution. There are many parameters and conditions that need to be in place in order for evolution to occur. One such parameter is that the population trait in question must be variable. i.e., there will be variations of a trait found in the population. What are some additional parameters and conditions necessary for evolution to take place?

The purpose of this lab is to better understand the process of natural selection and its effects on a population by conducting a stimulation. The stimulation consist of predators (students with either a spoon, fork or a knife) and prey (different types of beans). Furthermore, students will be able to determine how phenotype (bean color and utensil used by the predators) influences natural selection. Students will also demonstrate their quantitative skills by determining the predator survival and reproduction, bean survival and reproduction, and by calculating the total percent of the population. Additionally, students will be able to identify the occurrence of evolution by natural selection after the end of generation three. Moreover, students

The Galapagos Islands consists of thirteen major islands and over a hundred smaller islands located along the Ecuadorian coast. The islands are home to a variety of unique species such as sea lions, sharks, rays, and 26 different species of native birds. Thirteen of these birds are Darwin’s finches. These finches are known to be the “world’s fastest-evolving vertebrates” due to their bodies quickly adapting to the rapidly changing environment (Robertson, N.D. , para.1). Their DNA chemical makeup causes these adaptations to occur. The finch’s most noticeable feature is their evolutionary adaptations, due to the briskly changing environments.

There are many definitions of what constitutes an adaptation and a great debate amongst many famous biologists and philosophers, each championing their own definition of adaptation. Historical definitions include the ‘design’ oriented approach of Williams, who claims

“If no such variations exist, the population rapidly goes extinct because it cannot adapt to a changing environment” (O’Neil, 1998-2013). Scientists call this reproductive success. “Within a specific environment context, one genotype will be better than another genotype in survival or reproduction for certain reasons having to do with the way its particular features relate to the environment or relate to other organisms within the population” (Futuyma, 2000-2014). The theory of evolution is explicable through various kinds of scientific research.