Blue-footed boobies have webbed feet and are comically clumsy when they walk on land. Evolutionary scientists view these feet as
A) an example of a trait that is poorly adapted.
B) the outcome of a trade-off: Webbed feet perform poorly on land but are very helpful in diving for food.
C) an example of a trait that has not evolved.
D) a curiosity that has little to teach us regarding evolution.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Biologists have found that webbed feet help birds swim in water, but they can be a hindrance on land. The Blue-footed booby's webbed feet are an example of a trade-off, where the benefits of webbed feet during diving outweigh the costs of reduced mobility on land. This adaptation is therefore not poorly adapted but rather specialized for the booby's lifestyle.

Blue-Footed Boobies Have Webbed Feet and Are Comically Clumsy When