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Activity 4.1 The Galapagos Islands

Purpose

To introduce some of the biological ideas

covered in the topic.

Darwin and the Galapagos then and now

Darwin spent five years travelling around the world on the Beagle. The wealth of animals and
plants he encountered and the adaptations they exhibited were the stimulus for the theory he
developed over the next 20 years and published in his book The Origin of Species. The Galapagos
Islands are estimated to have between 5500 and 6000 identified species, and most importantly a
particularly high level of endemism (species found here and nowhere else)
Look at the interactive map and factfile in the tutorial that accompanies this activity to learn more
about the Galapagos and discover some of the species to be found on the islands. Listen to the
interview with Sarah Darwin, botanist and great-great-granddaughter of Charles Darwin. Visit the
websites in the weblinks that accompany this activity, then answer the questions that follow.

Questions
Q1

Q2
Q3
Q4
Q5
Q6
Q7
Q8

Q9
Q10
Q11

Q12

Q13

The Galapagos Islands lie 1000 km off the west coast of Ecuador. The islands are bathed in cool polar
ocean currents, and receive rain from the South East winds. What would the climate be like in the
Galapagos Islands and why?
The Galapagos Islands are volcanic, having erupted from the seabed around 3 km below the sea surface.
How would the origin of the islands affect the animal and plant life that has become established here?
Galapagos Island tortoises can grow to over 1.5 m in length and weigh over 250 kg. What advantages
could there be to this large size?
Iguanas are cold-blooded and need to regulate their body temperature by moving in and out of the sun.
Suggest why species such as this are more common in the tropics than in temperate climates.
What adaptations do large cacti such as Opuntia spp. seem to have for life on the islands?
Do you think there is any adaptive reason why the blue feet in the blue-footed booby could have
evolved?
The marine iguana is the only truly marine lizard, spending much of its time in the water. What physical
adaptations would this species require that would differ from its land-living relative?
Although they spend most of their lives at sea, female turtles return to lay eggs on the beach on which
they were born, often travelling thousands of miles in the process. Why do you think this behaviour has
evolved instead of the turtles stopping at the first beach they come to?
What could be the purpose of the large throat pouch in the magnificent male frigate bird (Fregata
magnificens)?
Galapagos finches are unique to the Galapagos Islands and yet birds such as the frigate bird and the
green turtle are found throughout the Pacific. Why could this be?
Four species of Galapagos finches were sketched by Darwin during his voyage. What clues do you
have that these are distinct species, and why might these differences have evolved within the same
group of islands?
Terrestrial mammals on the Galapagos have suffered high levels of extinction, 8 of the original 11
species having disappeared. What might have caused these extinctions and may continue to threaten
many of the animal and plant species on the islands?
What are the possible conflicts that may arise between human and wildlife populations in the
Galapagos?

Salters-Nuffield Advanced Biology, Pearson Education Ltd 2008. University of York Science Education Group.
This sheet may have been altered from the original.

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