Galapagos Islands

a group of 15 islands in the Pacific Ocean situated on the equator some 900 miles west of Ecuador. In 1835, Charles DARWIN visited the islands during his voyage on the Beagle and the fauna particularly influenced his views on evolution. According to his theory GEOGRAPHICAL ISOLATION has influenced divergence of different forms so that, for example, DARWIN'S FINCHES have all probably evolved from a common ancestor, and now occupy numerous niches on the islands due to the absence of competition from other birds. Marine iguanas and giant tortoises are other interesting animals found there, and in the absence of palms and conifers, the normally small prickly-pear cactus has reached tree-like proportions.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

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References in periodicals archive

Here are our Top 7 Reasons to Snorkel the Galapagos Islands

Best reasons to snorkel the Galapagos Islands

When it comes to conservation on the Galapagos Islands, baby steps are maturing into giant strides.

Trouble in paradise? THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS' RARE WILDLIFE MAKES IT A HIT WITH TOURISTS, BUT THEIR IMPACT COULD DAMAGE ITS UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM. SARAH MARSHALL LOOKS AT HOW THE ISLANDS ARE TACKLING THE THREAT

It isn't an easy task to chase down how the EUC forks, races, or meanders its way around the Galapagos Islands, or to capture how it changes over days, seasons, and years as it encounters the islands.

The Current That Feeds the Galapagos: GLIDERS REVEAL THE PATH OF A MAMMOTH 'RIVER' IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN

No species has done more to upset the delicately balanced ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands than humans.

Charles Darwin and the Galapagos Islands

(NASDAQ: LIND) has signed a definitive agreement for the purchase of the vessel Via Australis to be used in its operations in the Galapagos Islands, the company said.

Lindblad Expeditions to Acquire Galapagos Islands Expedition Ship

With capacity for 90 passengers and 70 crew members Santa Cruz II cruise will start operating in the Galapagos Islands from October 10th with an investment of US$ 19 million.

SANTA CRUZ II LAUNCHED

Quito, Sha'ban 8, 1436, May 26, 2015, SPA -- A volcano on the Galapagos Island archipelago that had

Lava from Galapagos Island volcano flows away from rare wildlife

Over 100,000 giant tortoises existed on the Galapagos Islands when the Spanish sailors discovered them.

The gentle giants

IWC's new Aquatimer collection is atribute to the magical Galapagos Islands

ISLAND Inspiration

The Galapagos Islands, literally meaning Islands of Tortoises, are located off the South American coast in the Pacific ocean.

Galapagos Tortoises Make A Comeback

But this is the real–life tale of a group of adventurers who travelled to the remote Galapagos Islands in the Pacic Ocean in search of paradise.

They came in search of paradise but found only lies, heartache, jealousy and savage murder; HOW ADVENTURERS' DREAM MOVE TO HOW ADVENTURERS' DREAM MOVE TO PACIFIC ISLES TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE PACIFIC ISLES TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE; Documentary reveals the secrets behind Galapagos scandal that gripped the world

In a press conference he said there is regional consensus on the Cuba issue as was evidenced at the recent meeting of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), held in the Galapagos Islands and at the Forum of the Organization of American States (OAS), in Paraguay.

No more summits without Cuba