List of Illustrations
List of Tables
Preface
1. The Variation Problem
Introduction
Darwin's Finches
Theoretical Framework
Scope and Organization of the Study
Duration of the Study
Organization of the Book
Summary
2. The Island Setting
The Physical Environment
Climate
Vegetation
Plant Phenology
Animals
Age of the Community
Summary
3. Demography: Survival
Introduction
Sources and Study Areas
Birds of Known Age
Birds of Unknown Age
The Initial Group of Adults
Individual Cohorts
A Synthetic Survivorship Curve
Environmental Determinants of Survival
Age Structure of the Breeding Population
Comparative Demography
Summary
4. Demography: Reproduction
Introduction
Timing
The Rate of Reproduction
The Amount of Reproduction
Effects of Age and Experience
Individual Variation
Lifetime Reproductive Success
Summary
5. Survival and Reproduction
Introduction
Survival and Reproduction
Comparative Demography
Summary
6. Songs and Territories
Introduction
Song Structure
Transmissions of Song
Territories and the Role of Song
Song and Breeding
Song Type, Mate Choice, and the Distribution of Territories
The Role of Song in Species, Individual, and Kin Recognition
Origin and Maintenance of the Two Song Types
Summary
7. Mate Choice
Introduction
The Mating System: Mainly Monogamy
Courtship, Pairing, and Parental Care
The Choosing Sex
Cues Used in Mate Choice
Courtship Behavior and Experience
Extra-pair Copulations
Mate Changes
Synthesis
Summary
8. Phenotypic and Genetic Variation
Introduction
Morphological Variation
Genetic Variation
Heritability
When Are Offspring Fully Grown?
Estimates of Heritability
Potential Distortions to the Estimates
Genotype-Environment Correlations
The Expression of Genetic Variation during Ontogeny
Genetic Correlations among Traits
Discontinuous Variation: A Beak Color Polymorphism
Summary
9. Hybridization and Selection
Introduction
Introgression
Effects of Interbreeding on Morphological Variance
Selection
Dry-Season Survival
Reproduction
Directional Stabilizing Selection
The Maintenance of Variation
Summary
10. Population Subdivision and Sympatric Speciation
Introduction
The Initial Observations
Subsequent Observations
How the Population Became Subdivided
Sympatric Speciation?
Population Subdivision
Summary
11. The Place of G. conirostris in Its Community
Introduction
Evolutionary History
Community Ecology
Some Speculations on Evolution and Competition
The Populations on Española and Gardner
Summary
12. Summary, Synthesis, and Some Implications for Conservation
Introduction
Synthesis
Implications for Conservation
Appendixes
I. Scientific Names of the Bird Species
II. Annual Summaries of Reproductive Characteristics
III. Demographic Characteristics of A Males and B Males
IV. Effective Population Size and Neighborhood Size
V. Nestling Beak Color Morphs Produced by A Males and B Males
References
Author Index
Subject Index