Chapter 15.1, Problem 6MI

Identify three organisms from the Galapagos islands and their distinguishing characteristics.

Summary Introduction

To identify:

Three organisms from the Galapagos Islands and their distinguishing characteristics.

Introduction: In 1831 HMS Beagle set sail from England for Maderia and then proceeded to South America. The main mission of the ship was to survey the coast of South America. Darwin’s role on the ship was a naturalist and companion to the captain. His main job was to collect biological and geological specimens during the ship’s travels.

Answer to Problem 6MI

Organism	Variation
Mockingbird	Each island had different variety of mockingbird
Galapagos finch	New species had beak adapted to feed on cacti
Galapagos tortoise	Tortoises on each island had different shells

Explanation of Solution

On the Galapagos Islands Darwin studied many species of animals and plants that were unique to the islands but similar to species elsewhere. He collected mockingbirds, finches and other animals on the four islands he visited and noticed that the different islands had their own slightly different varieties of animals. These animals had their unique adaptations.

Almost every specimen that Darwin collected on the islands was new to European scientists but they resembled species from mainland South America.

He studied the adaptations in giant tortoises found in Galapagos Islands which contributed to the theory of evolution. Galapagos tortoises are the largest tortoises found on earth and differ from other tortoises in body size and shape.