Adaptation

Adaptation is an evolutionary process whereby a species becomes increasingly well suited to living and successfully breeding in a particular habitat. These are changes that usually occur over many, many generations. Scientists categorise adaptations into three types – structural (or morphological), behavioural and physiological.

Takahē have adapted to living on the forest edge and in the open tussock plains. They have vestigial wings and cannot fly. They have evolved a larger body size with short, thick-set legs. Takahē have strong beaks that can strip the high nutrient food off the tussock grasses and not create lasting damage to the plant. They have a large range and are territorial.

Related Hub resources

• Native bird adaptations – article

• Building Science Concepts: Birds – article (includes the Birds: Structure, function and adaptation interactive)

• Takahē – an introduction – article

• The takahē’s evolutionary history – article

• The takahē’s ecological niche – article

• Takahē – new genetic research – article

• Population genetics – article

• Population biology – article

• Takahē – a context for learning – article

Related ZEALANDIA resource:

• Adaptations visual organiser – template for students to organise ideas related to adaptations of red deer, stoat, snow tussock and takahē

IMAGE: Martin Sanders