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To Kill A Mockingbird: Animal Analysis

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The animal I chose to examine for this discussion is the finch, a type of medium-sized bird. In order to determine which individuals in the population is best adapted to their environment, we simply need to observe the natural selection process. The individuals who are most successful at adapting reproduce and pass on the trait or traits that provided it with an advantage compared to the rest of its population to its offspring. An example of natural selection would be Darwin’s Finches, whom of which got their name from Charles Darwin and helped him to develop his theory of natural selection. Currently, the finches, which are located on the Galapagos Islands, are being targeted by a parasitic fly. These flies lay their eggs in finch nests and then the larvae that hatch feed off of the finch nestlings’ blood and tissues. Due to this, anywhere from 30 to 98 percent of their chicks can die each year (Darwin’s Finches and Natural Selection in the Galapagos, …show more content…

If the finches develop evidence that they adapted to this parasitic fly by altering their nests where the chicks would be safe and then pass this instinctive survival skill down, it would be a form of natural selection. Darwin’s finches are known as the world’s fastest-evolving vertebrates, due to their appearance and behavior adapting quickly to the rapidly changing environment, such as the shape of their beaks and where they place their nests. It is probable that they will survive, regardless of the parasitic flies. All of their traits were developed over many generations, similar to all time frame requirements having to do with natural selection.
References:
Darwin’s Finches and Natural Selection in the Galapagos. (2017). Retrieved from http://earthwatch.org/Expeditions/Darwins-Finches-and-Natural-Selection-in-the-Galapagos
Simon, E.J. (2017). Biology: The Core (2nd Edition). Retrieved from

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