6 consecutive droughts lead to new Galapagos finch species via ecological speciation.

A study indicates that six consecutive droughts can lead to the emergence of a new species of Galapagos finch. Researchers found that drought conditions cause changes in the birds' beaks and songs, hindering older generations' ability to recognize younger ones for mating. This suggests that extreme environmental changes can drive ecological speciation among the finches, highlighting the need for conservation efforts in the Galapagos ecosystem.