Question

In a population of birds some individuals are born with thicker, stronger beaks than others. This is a trait that is inherited. The thick beak birds are able to eat an indigenous nut that has a thick shell. The thin beak birds are not able to eat this nut. Over time the birds with the thick beak take advantage of this niche, because there is less competition for food. Eventually the thick beak birds become a different species than the thin beak birds. What is true of these two species? A) Both species will continue to occupy the same exact niche. B) The two species can have viable offspring together. C) The two species cannot have viable offspring together. Eliminate D) The two species will be one species again in the future.

Answer 1

C)The two species cannot have viable offspring together.

An ecological niche can be defined as the functional role played by the organism or species in order to survive in it's habitat. Like the type of food consumed by the organism, type of mating mating season and others.

In the given situation, the thick beak birds likely to develop in a new species because of this typically adaptation. The two species may exhibit reproductive isolation as they may not be capable of inbreeding among themselves and cannot produce viable offspring together.