Danwin's Finches &Speciation Scenario a2: On a large, lush island, a population of Darwin's finches Lives in a variety of habitats.ranging from open grasslands to dense forests. These finches originally had similar beak sizes sulfed for eating a mix of small and large seeds. Over time, some finches began to prefer eating seeds from a particular type of flower found only in the forest These forest-dwelling finches developed smaller, more delicate beaks, Ideal for feeding on the smaller seeds of the flowers. Heanwhile, the finches in the grasslands retained their larger beaks for crocking tougher seeds. Despite living in the same geographic area, these two groups began to develop distinct feeding behaviors and beak shapes. As time passed, the forest finches began to mate mostly with other forest finches, and the grassland finches mated with others in the same habitat. Eventually, the two groups became so genetically distinct that they could no longer interbreed successfully, even though they still occupied the same Island. What type of speciation may have occurred in this scenario? How do you know? Be sure to think in terms of the reproductive iii __

## Step 1<br />The problem presents a scenario where a population of Darwin's finches, originally with similar beak sizes, begins to show variations in their beak sizes and feeding behaviors due to different environmental conditions. The finches living in the forest develop smaller, more delicate beaks, while those in the grasslands retain their larger beaks. This leads to distinct feeding behaviors and beak shapes.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />Over time, the forest finches begin to mate mostly with other forest finches, and the grassland finches mate with others in the same habitat. This leads to the two groups becoming so genetically distinct that they can no longer interbreed successfully, even though they still occupy the same island.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />This scenario is an example of allopatric speciation. Allopatric speciation is a form of speciation that occurs when biological populations of the same species become isolated due to geographical changes such as mountain ranges, rivers, or distance. This isolation prevents gene flow between the populations, leading to the evolution of new species.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />In this case, the geographical isolation is not due to a physical barrier, but rather the different habitats (forest and grassland) that the finches occupy. The finches in the forest and grassland have different feeding behaviors and beak shapes, which leads to different mating patterns and eventually to the formation of two distinct species.