Name Class Date

17.3 The Process of Speciation

Lesson Objectives
Identify the types of isolation that lead to the formation of new species.
Describe the current hypothesis about Galápagos finch speciation.

BUILD Vocabulary
A. The chart below shows key terms from the lesson with their definitions. Complete the chart by
writing a strategy to help you remember the meaning of each term. One has been done for you.

Term Definition How I’m Going to Remember the

Meaning

Behavioral When two populations have It’s just like it sounds—different

isolation different behaviors that keep them behaviors keep groups isolated, or
from reproducing apart.

Geographic When two populations are

isolation separated by geographic features,
such as rivers or mountains, that
keep them from reproducing

Reproductive Separation of populations so that

isolation they cannot reproduce

Species A population or group of populations

whose members can interbreed and
produce fertile offspring

Speciation The forming of a new species

Temporal When two populations reproduce at

isolation different times, so that they cannot
reproduce together

B. As you work through this lesson, you may find these terms in the activities. When you need to
write a key term or a definition, highlight the term or the definition.

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BUILD Understanding
Compare/Contrast Table Use a compare/contrast table when you want to see the
similarities and differences between two or more processes.

As you read about the different types of reproductive isolation, fill in the table below.

What Leads to Reproductive Isolation

Type of Isolation Description

Behavioral

Geographic

Temporal

Populations Become Isolated

Speciation occurs when a new species evolves. Many things contribute to speciation.
Read the chart below. Then, use phrases in the word box to identify each process that leads
to speciation. The first row has been completed for you.

changes in the gene pool geographic isolation founders arrive

competition behavioral isolation

Process How It Leads to Speciation

founders arrive A population arrives in a new place.
Populations are separated by a geographic barrier and do not share a gene
pool.
Populations evolve new traits in response to natural selection in their
environments.
Species evolve in a way that reduces competition between them.

Groups within a population are separated by different courtship rituals.

Answer the questions.

1. Finches prefer to find mates with the same size beaks. Finches in Group A have larger beaks
than those in Group B, so finches from the two groups will not mate. What is this an example
of?________________________________________________________________________
2. Do populations that are geographically isolated from one another share a gene pool? Why or
why not?___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

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Name Class Date
Speciation in Darwin’s Finches
Charles Darwin proposed that the different species of finches on the Galapagos Islands once had a
common ancestor. Over time, he said, natural selection led to each species of finch. A current
hypothesis says that speciation in the Galapagos finches occurred through the founding of a new
population, geographic isolation, changes in the new population’s gene pool, behavioral isolation,
and ecological competition.
Use the phrases in the box to complete the chart.

insects that live inside dead wood small seeds large, thick-shelled
seeds

Galápagos Islands Finches

Shape of head
and beak

Main food fruits

Feeding parrotlike uses cactus pointed large

adaptation beak spines crushing beak crushing beak

Habitat trees trees ground ground

Answer the questions.

1. How does the large crushing beak help the fourth finch survive?

2. Circle the finch that would be least likely to survive if the insect population decreased.
3. Both the first and second finch live in trees. Suppose one season there is less fruit in the trees.
Which finch is more likely to survive and reproduce?
A. the first finch
B. the second finch

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