WIKIMEDIA, JOHN GOULD
The beak shape variety among the species of Galápagos finches that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution is largely due to a single gene that has been shaped by species interbreeding as well as evolutionary adaptation, according to a study published this week (February 11) in Nature.
Researchers from the Uppsala and Umeå Universities in Sweden and from Princeton University sequenced the full genomes of 120 birds representing the 14 defined Galápagos finch species, a related species from nearby Cocos Island, and two other related species from the Caribbean. By comparing the genomes of two species with blunt beaks—ideal for eating seeds and insects—with those from two pointy-beaked species—specialized for eating cactus nectar and pulp—the scientists found 15 genomic regions linked to beak shape. Most striking ...
