A small number of birds arrive on an island from a neighboring larger island. This small population begins to adapt to the new food plants available on the island, and their beaks begin to change. About twice a year, one or two more birds from the neighboring island arrive. Which of the following effects is most likely to result from the immigration?
A) an increase in the speed of speciation
B) an increase in birds' adaptation to the new food plants
C) a decrease in birds' adaptation to the new food plants
D) another round of incipient speciation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The continuous arrival of birds from the neighboring island introduces new genetic material into the small population, potentially diluting the adaptations (like changes in beak shape) that the initial population was developing in response to the new environment. This gene flow can slow or decrease the adaptation process to the new food plants.

A Small Number of Birds Arrive on an Island from a Neighboring