Question
The different species of Hawaiian honeycreepers shown all descended from a single species of North American bird. They now have different beaks , eat different foods, sing different songs, and live in different environments on the islands. Which factor probably contributed most to the development of these different species? F Loss of habitat G Geographic isolation H Egg size Predation
Answer
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Lydia
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
The scenario described in the question is an example of adaptive radiation, where a single species evolves into multiple species, each adapted to a different niche or environment. The factors listed as options could all potentially affect the development of species, but we need to identify the one that most likely contributed to the development of different species of Hawaiian honeycreepers.Let's analyze each option:F) Loss of habitat - While loss of habitat can put pressure on species and lead to changes or even extinction, it does not directly explain the diversification into multiple species with different characteristics.G) Geographic isolation - This is a key factor in speciation, the process by which new species form. When populations of a species become geographically isolated, they can evolve independently, leading to the development of different characteristics adapted to their specific environments. This is a likely contributor to the diversity of beak shapes, diets, songs, and habitats among the Hawaiian honeycreepers.H) Egg size - Egg size could affect the survival of individual species, but it is not a primary factor in the development of different species with diverse characteristics.J) Predation - While predation can influence the evolution of species by selecting for certain traits that help avoid predators, it is not the primary factor that would lead to the development of different species with the range of differences described.Based on the information provided, the factor that probably contributed most to the development of these different species of Hawaiian honeycreepers is:G) Geographic isolationGeographic isolation would have allowed different populations of the ancestral North American bird to adapt to different ecological niches on the Hawaiian islands, leading to the diversification of species with different beaks, diets, songs, and habitats.