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What are the Evolution Theories of Fishes and Finches?
The development theories of both fishes and finches were both formed by different researchers including Charles Darwin, who researched and studied different living species to come with different theories based on their existence. The main idea of the theories was that the living species progressed from uncomplicated existence forms (Walker 24). A finch is a type of living species that belongs to a group of perching birds, which feed on seeds and is recognized as the smallest bird compared to all other groups of birds in the world. In addition, finches are also known for their entertaining ability to sing. There are various theories that are used in describing the evolution of both fishes and finches.
According to the theory of evolution, the first finch was discovered in the continent of South America and it appeared to take over the place because it was easily differentiated from the other bird populations due to its distinct features. As a result, other different bird categories also started to migrate and live in new surroundings while adapting to a variety of feeding modes. However, the process of selection enabled the separation of different bird groups because some specific birds were unable to adapt to the environment of the other categories of birds (Walker 24).
The different groups of finches could be separated by varying characteristics such as the dimension of their beaks. Finches from different localities did not have the ability to interbreed and this was evident in the distance between those locations. As a result, the population of finches became distinctive in terms of their features and adaptations. For example, various finches were distinguished by their food types, where by some birds fed on nuts while others fed on insects. Darwin explained that because of this segregation, it proved that the existing different species of finches all evolved from a similar ancestry. In addition, the birds had to change their ways of adaptation in order to be distinguished from other related members (O’Neil, 2011).
A fish is a living organism that falls under the animal category of vertebrates. They live in water and breathe with special features known as gills. Fish can be divided into three categories including the bony category, lobe-finned and cartilaginous types. The cartilaginous fish have a body system that is made of cartilage instead of bones. This feature allows them to be flexible, which is significant in their structural development. Lobe-finned fish consist of corresponding fins that are connected to its fleshy lobes.
Fishes are known to be the first animals to develop and exist on earth and the earliest category was known as ostracoderms (Walker 24). They were a group of fish that did not have jaws and existed over five hundred million years ago. They had a notochord, which acted as a dental replacement because they did not have any teeth. In addition, one of the fish types that evolved after the ostracoderms was the hagfish. They are a kind of fish that have long bodies similar to the eel. In addition, their tails are paddled and most parts of the adjacent brain are made up of a tough sheath.
Fish are known to have evolved over millions of years ago into different forms. They passed through the transitional stages of being amphibians, reptiles and later developed to become mammals. This created evidence to prove the connection between the four-legged creatures and fishes. The tetra pods were able to survive on land because they had unique features that supported their abilities that included feet and claws. The findings of both theories conclude that the evolution of fishes and finches were similar in terms of dental development and the mode of feeding. This is because the jaw and teeth development incorporated with the mode of feeding in fish can be related to the variation in the beak development and growth of the finches.
Works Cited
O’Neil, Dennis. Darwin and Natural Selection. 16 September 2011. Web. 27 October 2011.
<http://anthro.palomar.edu/evolve/evolve_2.htm>
Walker, Denise. Inheritance and Evolution. UK: Evans Brothers, 2009. Print.
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