What question did this study set out to answer?

This research investigates how natural selection operates on bill and body characteristics in African finches with two bill morphs.

July 1, 1990EvolutionOpen Access

Natural Selection on Bill Characters in the Two Bill Morphs of the African Finch Pyrenestes Ostrinus

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

Randomized trial demonstrates natural selection on bill traits in finch populations, indicating ecological adaptability.

This research investigates how natural selection operates on bill and body characteristics in African finches with two bill morphs.
Examined natural selection using two regression methods: parametric and non-parametric.
Studied adult males, females, and juveniles over a four-year period in south-central Cameroon.
Analyzed selection patterns across different groups and bill characters.
Disruptive selection was observed on bill width with changes linked to feeding efficiency.
Directional selection was common on bill characters across all groups.
No evidence of selection was found on generalized size or shape characters.

Thomas B. Smith (1990) studied this question.

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark