1. Dodos (Raphus cucullatus):
- The dodo, a flightless bird native to Mauritius, was driven to extinction primarily due to human activities, including hunting and habitat destruction.
- However, natural selection played a role as well. While the dodo initially thrived in the absence of natural predators on Mauritius, they evolved certain traits that made them more vulnerable to humans, such as losing their ability to fly and becoming more trusting of humans.
2. Steller's Sea Cow (Hydrodamalis gigas):
- This massive marine mammal lived in the North Pacific Ocean. Steller's sea cows were hunted to extinction by humans within a few decades of their discovery.
- Their extinction was also partly attributed to their slow reproductive rate, making them highly susceptible to overhunting and unable to recover their population quickly.
3. Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius):
- Once abundant in North America, the passenger pigeon was driven to extinction due to overhunting and deforestation.
- Their immense population size and gregarious behavior, while advantageous for survival and finding food, also made them vulnerable to mass hunting and habitat loss.
4. Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus):
- The thylacine, a marsupial native to Tasmania, became extinct in the 20th century.
- While habitat destruction and hunting played a significant role in its decline, it is believed that the introduction of the dingo, a canine species, contributed to the thylacine's inability to adapt and compete for resources.
While these examples illustrate how ecological, anthropogenic, and even evolutionary factors played a role in species extinctions, it's important to recognize that natural selection operates as a mechanism to adapt individuals within populations rather than causing extinctions directly. Biodiversity loss is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires comprehensive conservation efforts to protect endangered species and ecosystems.