Answer :
Final answer:
The correct option is D The native-finch population will decrease and the long-beak finch population will increase. In 30 years, the native finch population on the island will likely decrease, while the population of the introduced long-beaked finches will increase due to their competitive advantage in food gathering, representing natural selection in action.
Explanation:
A new species of finch with long beaks is introduced to an island with a limited food supply. Considering the principle of natural selection and resource competition, the most likely outcome in 30 years would be D. The native-finch population will decrease and the long-beak finch population will increase.
The rationale behind this prediction stems from the fitness advantage provided by the longer beaks. These birds would be able to access a wider variety of food sources more efficiently than their native counterparts. Drawing from historical observations, such as those made by Darwin and the Grants, finches with beak adaptations that allow for more effective food collection tend to survive better during times of scarcity. This survival advantage leads to greater success in reproduction, passing on the advantageous traits to future generations. Consequently, it's predicted that the population of finches with long beaks will grow at the expense of the native population which lacks this adaptation.
Furthermore, this scenario highlights the dynamic and often harsh reality of evolutionary processes, where introduced species can drastically alter the balance of local ecosystems, leading to a shift in population demographics based on the survival of the fittest.
Answer:
The answer is D.
Explanation:
This is because of natural selection. When a new species that has an advantage over the native species and has to compete with the native species, it is whichever species is better adapted. Because the question states that the non-native species has an advantage the native down't, we can assume the non-native species will out compete the native.
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