Evolution

Reviewing the Evidence Amazing Adaptations

What is Evolution?
The evidence for evolution is robust and wide ranging. Here are just a few The natural world abounds with astonishing examples of the
Evolution, in a biological sense, is the change in the inherited characteristics of examples: adaptations of organisms to their environments which have been
organisms over time. Charles Darwin’s famous theory on the mechanism of derived through evolutionary processes. These may fall into a
Fossils Comparative Anatomy
evolution by natural selection was based on four principles: While far from complete, the fossil Groups of related organisms often
number of categories:
record shows that life has changed share physical characteristics which ‐ Anatomical: e.g. the large size and compact shape of a polar
over time, increasing in variety and serve as evidence that they evolved bear which helps it retain body heat.
Variation complexity. Fossils also provide from a common ancestor (e.g. the ‐ Physiological: e.g. the highly efficient kidney of a camel which
evidence of so‐called transitional wings of birds). It can also be shown helps to prevent excess water loss.
Individuals within a species are not identical ‐ forms or missing links, individuals that structures which serve similar ‐ Behavioural: Including vocalisations such as whale song, used
they differ from each other in a number of that display characteristics that are functions in different groups, (e.g. for communication.
ways. intermediate between two known the wings of bats) have been derived
organisms and illustrate how one in a different way, pointing to a
evolved into the other. different evolutionary history.
Inheritance
DNA and Molecular Evidence
Offspring resemble their parents: they inherit All living organisms on Earth are made up of cells and contain genetic
characteristics from them. material in the form of DNA. The basic molecular processes carried out inside
cells exhibit a remarkable degree of similarity between organisms and point
Mortality to the common origins of life.

Usually, more offspring are produced than

survive to maturity. They suffer from disease,
predation and competition.

Population size
The size of a population generally remains
fairly constant.

Continuous and Discontinuous Variation The Theory of Evolution

From these observations, Darwin concluded that the individuals most likely to
Living organisms exhibit an astonishing degree of variation, not only on a broad scale Charles Darwin is famous for devising and
survive in the struggle for existence are those that can compete best because they between species but even between individuals of the same species. Just think how describing the theory of evolution by natural
are well adapted to their environment. These individuals which survive longer will different one person is from another, or how unique any animal or plant is if you look selection, but he was not the only person to
close enough. The variation between individuals of the same species can be described do so. Alfred Russel Wallace (right) a British
have a greater chance of reproducing and thus passing their genes on to the next naturalist several years Darwin’s junior,
in two ways, depending on its characteristics: continuous or discontinuous.
generation. We call this process natural selection. coincidentally produced the same theory
Discontinuous variation describes traits while working in the Malay Archipelago.
which fall into two or more distinct classes, Having deliberated about his theory for many
Definitions such as eye colour, blood type or gender. It years without publishing it, Darwin was
is usually controlled by only one or two shocked to receive a letter from Wallace
genes and not influenced by environmental outlining the very same mechanism for
Variation Speciation factors ‐ you cannot change your blood type
evolution that he had devised. The dilemma
of their potential rivalry was solved as they
by changing your environment. Continuous
“The differences between individuals of the “The evolutionary formation of a new agreed to publicise their theory jointly at a
variation describes traits which have a range
meeting of the Linnean Society of London
same species which may be anatomical, species. It occurs either by the division of of values such as height and weight. This
where their paper was read on 1 June 1858.
physiological or behavioural. Variation can one species into two or more genetically type of variation is usually influenced by a
The theory achieved world renown following
be caused by genetic or environmental distinct species, or when one species number of genes as well as environmental
the publication of Darwin’s book On the
factors”. evolves into a different species over time”. factors such as diet. Origin of Species in 1859.

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A Forum for Natural History
Orang utan hand, bat, pelican and sundew images © Chris Perrett [Link] [Link]
Water buffalo, peacock and zebra image © Len Longhurst
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Alfred Russel Wallace image © The Linnean Society of London