Originally there was only one species of finch (bird) in the Galapagos Islands. However there are now 14 different species of finch in the Galapagos Islands. Suggest an explanation for the development of the 14 different species.

The populations of finches became separated geographically (on different islands). Then genetic variation developed in these isolated communities. Natural selection acted differently in these isolated communities and the environment on each different island meant that certain traits were more favourable in each community. Eventually interbreeding between the different communities became impossible as their genes were too different. This made them distinct species as they could no longer breed and produce fertile offspring.