The evolution of Darwin finches on the Galapagos Island is a claasical example of

Options

A. Species formation and illustrate how adaptation to local conditions produces the divergence
B. Species formation and adaptive convergence
C. Adaptive convergence and illustrate how mactoevolution leading to microvolution
D. Parallel evolution

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks about the evolutionary process exemplified by Darwin's finches on the Galapagos Islands.

2. **Background on Darwin's Theory**: According to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to survive longer and pass on their genetic traits to the next generation.

3. **Identifying the Key Concepts**: The evolution of Darwin's finches is a prime example of two key concepts:
- **Speciation**: The formation of new and distinct species in the course of evolution.
- **Divergent Evolution (Adaptive Radiation)**: This occurs when new forms evolve from a common ancestor due to adaptation to different environmental conditions.

4. **The Arrival of the Common Ancestor**: It is believed that a common ancestor of the finches arrived on the Galapagos Islands approximately 2 million years ago.

5. **Evolution into Different Species**: Over time, these finches evolved into five recognized species, each differing in characteristics such as body size, beak shape, song, and feeding behavior. These adaptations allowed them to exploit different food resources, such as insects, seeds, nectar, and even blood from iguanas.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the evolution of Darwin's finches on the Galapagos Islands is a classical example of speciation and illustrates how adaptation to local conditions leads to divergence among species.

7. **Final Answer**: The correct answer is that the evolution of Darwin's finches on the Galapagos Islands is a classical example of speciation and divergent evolution (adaptive radiation).

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