What evidence is there that the 15 species of finch all evolved from one common ancestor
1. Genetic similarities: All 15 species of finch have very similar genetic sequences, indicating a common ancestry.
2. Morphological similarities: Despite variations in beak shape and size among the different species of finch, they all share common characteristics such as body shape, plumage coloration, and skeletal structures.
3. Fossil evidence: Fossil records show a gradual evolution of finches over millions of years, with early species resembling a common ancestor and later species showing adaptations to their specific environments.
4. Geographic distribution: The distribution of finches across the Galapagos Islands and other parts of South America supports the theory of evolution from a common ancestor, with each species adapting to the specific environmental conditions of their respective habitats.
5. Observations of natural selection: The famous studies by Charles Darwin on the Galapagos finches demonstrated how different beak shapes and sizes evolved based on food availability and other environmental factors, providing further evidence for evolution from a common ancestor.