A recent study has revealed the existence of an avian supergene that may help explain a long-standing evolutionary paradox. The paradox, known as the “paradox of the plankton,” questions how highly specialized species can persist in an environment that is constantly changing. By studying a species of finch in the Galapagos Islands, researchers have discovered a gene that is responsible for the finch’s ability to adapt quickly to changing environments. This gene, dubbed the “supergene”, is believed to be a key factor in the finch’s ability to survive a variety of environments. The discovery of this gene is an exciting breakthrough in evolutionary biology, and may help to explain how certain species of animals are able to thrive in changing environments.

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source: Phys.org