Question

Deep beaks have benefits, but they also have disadvantages. finches with deep beaks require more food and are less likely to survive the juvenile period than finches with shallow beaks. after the drought subsided on daphne major, what is likely to have happened to the average beak depth of the next generation?

Answer 1

The correct answer is that the beaks would increase - this is the adaptation of finches to the new conditions (drought).

Beak depth varies according to drought conditions. Since after the drought vegetation dries out and the hard, big, tough seeds remain, only the finches with deep beaks will survive. Finches adapt via their beaks to different foods sources and different local conditions.