Harper,   G.H.   "A  critical  review  of  theories 
concerning   the  origin  of  the  Darwin   finches 
(Fringillidae,    Passeriformes)"     Journal    of 
Biogeography 14: 391-403, l987.

[Harper  is  in the Zoology  Department,  Edinburgh 
University,  West  Mains Road,  Edinburgh EH9  3JT, 
UK.]

ABSTRACT--A multiple hypothesis approach is used to 
consider  the origin of the Darwin finches  of  the 
Galapagos  islands.   Three  simple hypotheses  are 
distinguished  by  the  location  of  the   barrier 
thought to be responsible for genetic divergence of 
populations   in   allopatry:    (a)   within   the 
archipelago,  (b)  between the archipelago and  the 
source  area,  and (c) within the source area.   An 
allopatric  divergence index is described  to  help 
identify  the  degree of isolation needed for  full 
speciation.   While each hypothesis has some merit, 
it  is  argued that they  are  probably  inadequate 
because  each  represents too simple a view of  the 
causes of a complex phenomenon.  The most important 
barrier in the speciation of the Darwin finches has 
probably been the ocean between the archipelago and 
the mainland.


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