Darwin's Finches
Definition
Darwin's finches are a group of bird species found in the Galapagos Islands that played a significant role in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Each finch species has unique beak shapes adapted for different food sources.
Analogy
Think of Darwin's finches as a group of friends who all have different tools to eat their favorite foods. One friend might have chopsticks for sushi while another has a fork for pasta. Just like these friends with specialized tools, each finch species has evolved specialized beaks to eat specific types of food.
Related terms
Adaptation: A characteristic or behavior that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.
Natural Selection: The process by which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Speciation: The formation of new and distinct species through evolutionary processes.
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