Jon Ayre

Anthropology 1020
Sep 20, 2016
Melissa Schaefer, Ph.D

Darwins finches
The finches of the Galapagos islands were one of the key multi-species
studied by Charles Darwin on his second expedition on the Beagle, now
famously known as Darwins finches. They helped guide and inform Darwins
theory of evolution. Examination of closely related but distinct species
()didnt fit the widely excepted idea of fixity of species but rather of
adaptation.
In Darwins book On the Origin of a Species he breaks down and
illustrates the wide variety of subtle variations in beak morphology that can
affect foraging efficiency (2). Some bird beaks are strong enough to crush
seeds while others more adept at eating fruits. Darwin believed beak verity
was in response to selective pressures of different ecological forces leading
him to the theory of Natural Selection.
Replicating Beak Variations
In class we started with 6 types of beaks: tweezers(5), hairclips(5),
clothes pins(6), chopsticks(6), and binder clips(6) for a total of 34 beaks.
Later, in the third cycle or generation, thanks to mutation, a seventh beak
variation was added, the tongs. The classroom tables were set up with

randomly scattered resources (sunflower seeds).

We then had 5 one-minute rounds where we would use the beaks to
forage as many resources as possible. At the end of each round, the 3 beaks
that foraged the least amount wouldnt be able to reproduce, thereby
eliminating the least adept beaks. The 3 beaks that proved to be most
effective produced offspring. This emulated natural selection as Darwin
studied in Darwins finches.

TWEEZERS
HAIR CLIPS
CLOTHES
SPIN
CHOPSTICK
S
CHIP CLIPS
BINDER CLIP
TONGS

STAR

R1

R2

R3

R4

R5

T
5
5

7
5

8
5

8
5

9
5

10
5

6
6
-

7
5
-

8
5
1

10
4
1

9
4
2

8
4
2

Hypotheses
I based my hypotheses on the participating classmates previous
knowledge or common use of the instruments. I asserted that the tweezers
would be first and chopsticks second. They seemed most likely to reproduce
based on the way theyre used. They are both precision instruments,
commonly used in daily life the same way they were to be used in the
experiments. I hypothesized that the hair clips would be the least effective
with large gaps between the prongs that the seeds could fit between.
Results

As hypothesized, the precision of the tweezers was the most effective,

but the effectiveness of the chopsticks decreased over time. Although the
initial rules indicated only picking one seed at a time, some beaks were more
adept at pick up multiple seeds at once. Initially the chip clips excelled. They
then began to peak compared to the proficiency of the tweezers and the
introduction of the tongs. As suggested by this study, precision beaks are
favorable to the wider beaks. However, I assert future replication of the
study would see higher offspring from the tongs as they have the precision of
the tweezers and the width of the chip clips.

References
1. Sarah Ludwin-Peery. Returning to Darwins Finches: A genetic
explanation for his observations of bird beaks. March 29, 2015 19:34

2. Joris Soons, Annelies Genbrugge, Jeffrey Podos, Dominique

Adriaens, Peter Aerts, Joris, Dirckx, Anthony Herrel. Is Beak Morphology
in Darwins Finches Tuned to Loading Demands? June 12, 2015