During his visit to the Galápagos Islands, Charles Darwin found that each island was home to different species of finch, but not all islands had the same species. What does this observation best support?

• A. All species remain unchanged regardless of their environment.
• B. Natural selection does not influence the evolution of island species.
• C. Species adapt to their specific environments through natural selection.
• D. Finches on all islands had identical beak shapes and diets.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context: Charles Darwin's observations on the Galápagos Islands were foundational to the theory of evolution by natural selection. He noticed that finches on different islands had variations in traits, such as beak shape, which were suited to their specific environments.
2. Analyze the options: The first option ('All species remain unchanged regardless of their environment') contradicts Darwin's findings, as he observed changes in species based on environmental factors. The second option ('Natural selection does not influence the evolution of island species') is also incorrect because natural selection is a key mechanism driving these adaptations.
3. Focus on the correct concept: The third option ('Species adapt to their specific environments through natural selection') aligns with Darwin's observations. Natural selection favors traits that improve survival and reproduction in a given environment, leading to adaptations over generations.
4. Evaluate the evidence: Darwin observed that finches on different islands had different beak shapes and diets, which were adaptations to the food sources available on their respective islands. This supports the idea that species evolve in response to environmental pressures.
5. Conclude: The observation that finches had different traits on different islands best supports the concept that species adapt to their specific environments through natural selection, as this explains the diversity of traits observed in the finches.