How did the tortoises observed by Darwin in the Galapagos Islands vary from one island to the next why was this variation important to Darwin?

How did the tortoises observed by Darwin in the Galapagos Islands vary from one island to the next why was this variation important to Darwin?

For example, Darwin observed a population of giant tortoises in the Galápagos Archipelago to have longer necks than those that lived on other islands with dry lowlands. These tortoises were “selected” because they could reach more leaves and access more food than those with short necks.

What were the name of the islands that Darwin discovered tortoises on?

Galapagos Tortoises and Evolution Lonesome George lived in the Galapagos, a chain of volcanic islands off the coast of Ecuador, in South America—islands that forever changed our understanding of the natural world. While visiting the Galapagos in 1835, British naturalist Charles Darwin observed local plants and animals.

What supports Darwin’s observation of variation of tortoises in the Galapagos Islands?

Answer Expert Verified. Adaptation is supported by Darwin’s observation of local variation among tortoises in the Galapagos Islands. In biology, an adaptation, also called an adaptive trait, is a trait with a current functional role in the life of an organism that is maintained and evolved by means of natural selection …

What was the name of the islands where Darwin made observations of the giant land tortoises?

The giant tortoises of the Galápagos Islands (Geochelone nigra) are renowned both as spectacular animals and for their contribution to the development of Darwin’s theory of natural selection.

What did Darwin conclude from the observations he made on his voyage?

List two observations made by Charles Darwin during his 5-year voyage that led him to conclude that living species evolved from extinct species. Living species resembled fossilized species, close related species differ in appearance and diet. …

What does the theory of natural selection say about members of a population that live long enough to reproduce?

chapter 15

Question	Answer
Which statement about the members of a population that live long enough to reproduce is consistent with the theory of natural selection?	They are the ones that are best adapted to survive in their environment

What did Darwin bring back from his voyage?

Groundbreaking discoveries. The expedition visited many places around the world and Darwin studied the various plants and animals, collecting specimens for further analysis. In South America, Darwin found fossils of extinct animals that were similar to modern species.

What is Lamarck’s theory called?

Lamarck is best known for his Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics, first presented in 1801 (Darwin’s first book dealing with natural selection was published in 1859): If an organism changes during life in order to adapt to its environment, those changes are passed on to its offspring.

Where did Charles Darwin find the giant tortoise?

For example Darwin described the adaptations of the Giant Tortoises (Geochelone nigra) that occur on the Galapagos Islands in the South Pacific. Tortoises occurring on the well-watered islands, with short, cropped vegetation had gently curved front edges to their shell.

What did Charles Darwin discover on the Galapagos Islands?

Darwin’s work on tortoises on the Galapagos Islands had implications in the more general field of zoological theory as well as providing detailed observations on those curious and spectacular reptiles, the giant tortoises.

What kind of tortoises live on the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos islands are a chain of volcanic islands off the coast of Ecuador. Galapagos tortoises have two very different shapes, each adapted for different feeding habits needed on low, arid islands versus high, lusher islands. Some tortoises, including Lonesome George, have shells that rise in front, like a saddle.

How did Darwin come up with the theory of evolution?

This idea—that species could change over time—eventually led to Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. The Galapagos islands are a chain of volcanic islands off the coast of Ecuador. NASA Pinta Island tortoises have shells that rise in the front (right in the overhead view above), like a saddle.

Where did Charles Darwin study the Galapagos tortoises?

Galapagos Tortoises and Evolution. Lonesome George lived in the Galapagos, a chain of volcanic islands off the coast of Ecuador, in South America—islands that forever changed our understanding of the natural world. While visiting the Galapagos in 1835, British naturalist Charles Darwin observed local plants and animals.

How old was Darwins tortoise when he died?

176-year-old ‘Darwin’s tortoise’ dies in zoo A 176-year-old tortoise believed to be one of the world’s oldest living creatures has died in an Australian zoo. “Harriet” was long reputed to have been one of three tortoises taken from the Galapagos Islands by Charles Darwin on his historic 1835 voyage aboard the HMS Beagle.

Where did Charles Darwin take Harriet the tortoise?

“Harriet” was long reputed to have been one of three tortoises taken from the Galapagos Islands by Charles Darwin on his historic 1835 voyage aboard the HMS Beagle. Crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, right, and his wife Terri pose in an undated photo with Harriet, a Giant Galapagos Land Tortoise, at the Australia Zoo, north of Brisbane.

The Galapagos islands are a chain of volcanic islands off the coast of Ecuador. Galapagos tortoises have two very different shapes, each adapted for different feeding habits needed on low, arid islands versus high, lusher islands. Some tortoises, including Lonesome George, have shells that rise in front, like a saddle.