Question

darwin hypothesized that new species could appear gradually through small changes in an ancestral species. which observation that he made about finches most supports that hypothesis? the finches were all relatively small compared to the mainland population. the finches all ate the same materials as the mainland population. the finches all appeared to be related but differed from the mainland population. the finches were identical to the mainland population.

Explanation:

Darwin's hypothesis is about new species arising from small changes in an ancestral species. The observation that finches are related (suggesting a common ancestor) but differ from the mainland population supports the idea of gradual changes over time leading to new species. The other options: finch size, same diet, or being identical don't support gradual change from an ancestral species.

Answer:

The finches all appeared to be related but differed from the mainland population.