Natural SelectioN
► “I have called this principle, by which each slight
variation, if useful, is preserved, by the term of
natural selection.”
– Charles Darwin - The Origin of Species
► Darwin's theory of natural selection holds that
variation within species occurs randomly and that
the survival or extinction of each organism is
determined by that organism's ability to adapt to
its environment.
oN the GalapaGoS iSlaNdS
► Darwin found mockingbirds that were similar to ones that were native
to Chile, but differed slightly from island to island
► He studied different species of finches and the slight variations in their
beaks
► He noticed that the shapes of tortoise shells also varied slightly from
island to island
► He found fossils of animals that had recently become extinct
► He kept a journal and collected fossils and specimens for further study
darwiN’S FiNcheS
► These are some of the finches
that Darwin studied on his
voyage
► Though they are all finches,
their beaks distinguish them
from one another
► Some finches developed short,
strong beaks that made it
possible for them to crack nuts
► Some developed long, fine
beaks to reach insect larvae in
tiny holes
► This is an example of how these
finches adapted to their
environment to survive (natural
selection)
darwiN’S FiNcheS
Darwin believed that all of the different finches came from a common ancestor
and that their differences were a result of natural selection
Peppered Moth
A
► Which moth will the
bird catch?
B
example oF Natural SelectioN
Peppered Moth
Moths can camouflage with trees to avoid
being eaten by birds.
► There were light moths and dark moths living
near English industrial cities in the 19th century
The dark moths stood out on the light
colored trees and were more likely to be seen
and eaten by birds
► Thus, there were many more light
colored moths than dark colored moths.
► As English factories produced more and more
soot, the trees turned a darker color. This was Because the dark moth was able to
able to camouflage the dark moths, but not the camouflage it was able to avoid
light moths being eaten.
THEN, the light moths stood out on the dark
trees and were more likely to be seen and If the light colored moth is not
eaten by birds! able to adapt to its environment
then it will eventually become
► Thus, there were more dark colored
extinct.
moths than light colored moths.
► Many animals have evolved to resemble the environment around them.
► This makes it very difficult for predators to find them and eat them, thus increasing their
chance of survival. It also makes it easier for predators to sneak up on prey.
► Can you spot them?
Brimstone Butterfly Stick Bug Large Fly Preying Mantis
Camo Moth Lion Seal
patterNS oF evolutioN
► Darwin believed that natural selection
can ultimately lead to the formation of
new species.
► Sometimes many species evolve from a
single ancestral species.
► Such an evolutionary pattern, in which
many related species evolved from a
single ancestral species, is called adaptive
radiation.
adaptive radiatioN
► Adaptive radiation most
commonly occurs when
a species of organisms
successfully invades an
isolated region where
few competing species
exist. If new habitats
are available, new
species will evolve.
diverGeNt evolutioN
Red Fox
► Divergent evolution is the process of two or
more related species becoming more and
more dissimilar.
► Example: The red fox and the kit fox
The red fox lives in mixed farmlands and
forests, where its red color helps it blend in
with surrounding trees.
The kit fox lives on the plains and in the
deserts, where its sandy color helps conceal
Kit Fox it from prey and predators. The ears of the
kit fox are larger than those of the red fox.
The kit fox's large ears are an adaptation to
its desert environment
► Similarities in structure indicate that the red
fox and the kit fox had a common ancestor.
As they adapted to different environments,
the appearance of the two species
diverged, or became more and more
different.
coNverGeNt evolutioN
coNverGeNt evolutioN
► Convergent evolution is the opposite of divergent
evolution
► In convergent evolution, unrelated species become more
and more similar in appearance as they adapt to the
same kind of environment.
► Frogs and Chameleons are examples of convergent
evolution because although they are different
amphibians, they have both developed harpoon-like
tongues to catch insects
co-evolutioN
► Co-evolution is the joint change of two or
more species in close interaction. Predators
and their prey sometimes co-evolve;
parasites and their hosts often co-evolve;
plant-eating animals and the plants upon
which they feed also co-evolve.
► One example of co-evolution is pollination of
orchids by African moths.
These species co-evolve because the moths
depend on the flowers for nectar, and the
flowers depend on the moths to spread their
pollen so that they can reproduce.
► The relationship between the moth and the
orchids is mutually beneficial because they
help each other survive.
why iS thiS importaNt?
► Divergent, convergent and co-evolution are
different ways organisms adapt to the
environment. These are examples of how
the diversity of life on earth is due to the
ever-changing interaction between a species
and its environment.
extiNctioN
► Extinction is the disappearance of an entire species
► If a species does not have the genetic traits to survive in its
environment, then the species will eventually become extinct forever
► Some examples of extinct animals are:
Galapagos Tortoise Dinosaurs Steller’s Sea Cow Laughing Owl
Bali Tiger Thylacine Quagga Dodo Bird
reaSoNS For extiNctioN
► Rarity- when there are very few animals of a species left
(Galapagos Tortoise)
► Inbreeding- when animals mate too much within their own
group the offspring become less able to survive and adapt
in a healthy way
► Hybridization-When two animals from different sub-species
mate, they might pass on genes that are less healthy
(Quagga-half horse half zebra)
► Gradual loss of habitat- When an animal's habitat is slowly
destroyed and they have nowhere to live. (Bali Tiger)
► Long-term environmental trends- Scientists think that
dinosaurs became extinct because of a slow cooling of the
earth
reaSoNS For extiNctioN
► Catastrophe- Volcanic eruption, dramatic change in climate, tsunami,
etc.
► Extinction or reduction of mutualistic population- If two species are
dependent on each other, then the endangering of one also endangers
the other
► Competition- When a new species is introduced to a habitat, then the
stronger of the two species will be more likely to survive.
► Predators-When the population of a species of predator in a habitat
suddenly increases, the population of their prey decreases
► Disease- If a particular sickness spreads quickly throughout a particular
species, then many may die before they can reproduce
► Hunting and collecting- Hunters have been largely responsible for the
endangerment of many animal species.
applicatioNS
► Knowledge about evolution and natural selection
has benefited our society in many ways, and has
helped make numerous technological advances,
especially in the field of biology and medicine
Using Darwin’s theory of natural selection, scientists
have been able to identify the desirable traits which
would improve the probability of survival in certain
species
It has helped scientists and doctors in treating viruses
and diseases.
For example
► Did you know that when a doctor gives you antibiotics, you need to
continue taking them until all of the pills are gone, even if you start to
feel better? When a doctor gives you antibiotics, they start to fight of
the bacteria in your body, little by little. It starts with the weak
bacteria, and eventually kills the strongest bacteria.
► BUT, if you stop taking your medicine, then it is only the STRONG
bacteria that are left in your body. That means that they will continue
to reproduce and become stronger and stronger, and it will be much
harder for the medicine to kill them. This is an example of natural
selection because the strong bacteria survives and grows.
coNcluSioN
► Darwin’s observations have
made a great impact in the
scientific community. Because
of his observations, we are
better able to understand why
some species survive and
some die.
► We are also better able to
take precautions to protect
species that are endangered.
► Lastly, we can understand the
diversity in the world around
us and learn to appreciate it.
reFereNceS
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ENCE OF EVOLUTION
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► What is the evolution of a business? Give
examples?
► Why are adaptive strategies important in
business?