Figure 7.6

Divergent evolution in Hawai‘i. (A) Genetic evidence indicates that about 5 million to 7 million years ago, a group of common rosefinches crossed 6,000 km (3,700 mi) of Pacific Ocean and colonized Hawai‘i. (B) About 50 species of Hawaiian honeycreepers (of which 8 are shown here) evolved from a single ancestral species of common rosefinch. The beak shapes and sizes evolved as the birds began to occupy different niches. Those on the left eat fruit and seeds. Those on the right eat insects and flower nectar.