Evolution of Snakes on Island vs Mainland
What factors contributed to the different evolution of snakes on the island compared to snakes on the mainland?
A) The presence of birds on the mainland
B) The absence of ground-level animals on the island
C) The feeding habits of the snakes on the mainland
D) The avoidance behavior of birds on the island
Answer:
The statement that explains why the snakes on the island evolved differently from the snakes on the mainland is B) The absence of ground-level animals on the island.
The evolution of snakes on islands is often influenced by unique factors that shape their adaptation. In this case, the absence of ground-level animals on the island forced the snakes to find alternative prey, ultimately leading to the development of different feeding strategies.
Island species, due to their isolation, face distinct evolutionary pressures that can result in the evolution of specialized traits. The snakes on the island likely adapted to feed on birds, while the snakes on the mainland continued to consume a wider range of prey.
An example of how the evolution of snakes can impact ecosystems is the brown tree snake, which, when introduced to Pacific Islands without natural predators, caused the extinction of many bird and mammal species. This highlights the significant impact of evolutionary adaptations on ecosystems.