Epic Adventures in the Search for Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origin of Speciesthe Origin of Species

Alexander von HumboldtAlexander von Humboldt

Prussian Naturalist & Explorer (1769 – 1859) Avid explorer who Prussian Naturalist & Explorer (1769 – 1859) Avid explorer who wrote 30 volumes about his experiences and discoveries which wrote 30 volumes about his experiences and discoveries which influenced many other explores of the world. influenced many other explores of the world.

His first volume of his exploration of South America was one of the His first volume of his exploration of South America was one of the 3 books Charles Darwin brought with him on his voyage around 3 books Charles Darwin brought with him on his voyage around the world (1831 – 1836).the world (1831 – 1836).

Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) (what was Darwin’s nick-name?)(what was Darwin’s nick-name?) Voyage of the Beagle (1831 – 1836)Voyage of the Beagle (1831 – 1836) Theory of Evolution by Means of Natural Selection – (1859) Theory of Evolution by Means of Natural Selection – (1859) (what (what

is the complete title of his book?)is the complete title of his book?) Descent with Modification from a common ancestor.Descent with Modification from a common ancestor.

Alfred Russel WallaceAlfred Russel Wallace

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 – 1913)Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 – 1913) Explorations of the Amazon and Malay Archipelago (1848 – 1862)Explorations of the Amazon and Malay Archipelago (1848 – 1862) “ “ Wallace’s Line” ?Wallace’s Line” ? ““Survival of the fittest” – “Struggle for existence”Survival of the fittest” – “Struggle for existence” What influence did Wallace’s letter (June 1858) have on Charles What influence did Wallace’s letter (June 1858) have on Charles

Darwin?Darwin?

Henry Walter BatesHenry Walter Bates

Henry Walter Bates (1825 – 1892)Henry Walter Bates (1825 – 1892) Exploration of the Amazon (Exploration of the Amazon (with friend A.R.Wallacewith friend A.R.Wallace) (1848 – 1859)) (1848 – 1859) Insect collection as supporting evidence of descent with Insect collection as supporting evidence of descent with

modification.modification. Batesian Mimicry? Batesian Mimicry? (explain?)(explain?)

Eugene DuboisEugene Dubois

Eugene Dubois (1858 – 1940)Eugene Dubois (1858 – 1940) Dutch paleontologist went to the Dutch East Indies (Sumatra) to Dutch paleontologist went to the Dutch East Indies (Sumatra) to

look for the “missing link” of human evolution. (look for the “missing link” of human evolution. (thought the cradle thought the cradle of evolution of man was in Asiaof evolution of man was in Asia))

He discovered a skull cap, thigh bone, and teeth of “Java Man” He discovered a skull cap, thigh bone, and teeth of “Java Man” also known as also known as PithecanthropusPithecanthropus which is now called which is now called Homo erectus.Homo erectus.

Dubois stimulated the search for more “missing links” in the Dubois stimulated the search for more “missing links” in the evolution of man.evolution of man.

Charles Doolittle WalcottCharles Doolittle Walcott

Charles Doolittle Walcott (1850 – 1927)Charles Doolittle Walcott (1850 – 1927) Paleontologist who discovered precambrian fossils at Paleontologist who discovered precambrian fossils at

bottom of Grand Canyon (1882) and later the Burgess Shale bottom of Grand Canyon (1882) and later the Burgess Shale fossils in Canadian Rockies (1909) “Cambrian Explosion” of fossils in Canadian Rockies (1909) “Cambrian Explosion” of the fossil record.the fossil record.

How long was the “Cambrian Explosion” in years?How long was the “Cambrian Explosion” in years?

Roy Chapman AndrewsRoy Chapman Andrews

Roy Chapman Andrews ( 1884 – 1960)Roy Chapman Andrews ( 1884 – 1960) Explorer – Expeditions to Asia (Mongolia-1920’s) Gobi Desert to Explorer – Expeditions to Asia (Mongolia-1920’s) Gobi Desert to

look for “missing link” but ended up finding dinosaur fossils look for “missing link” but ended up finding dinosaur fossils including the first dinosaur eggs.including the first dinosaur eggs.

Velociraptor fossil found near fossil egg nests.Velociraptor fossil found near fossil egg nests. Also found small skulls of early mammals showing mammals lived Also found small skulls of early mammals showing mammals lived

at the time of dinosaurs.at the time of dinosaurs. Noted for his hat, revolver, and hatred of snakes. (Noted for his hat, revolver, and hatred of snakes. (Who does this Who does this

sound like?sound like?))

Walter AlvarezWalter Alvarez

Walter Alvarez (1940 - ) Luis Alvarez (father) – (1911 – 1988)Walter Alvarez (1940 - ) Luis Alvarez (father) – (1911 – 1988) K-T Boundary Clay Layer – Irridium isotopeK-T Boundary Clay Layer – Irridium isotope Asteroid impact 65 million years ago.Asteroid impact 65 million years ago. Chicxulub Crater – Yucatan Peninsula impact siteChicxulub Crater – Yucatan Peninsula impact site Evidence of periodic extinctions – history of life is not orderly and Evidence of periodic extinctions – history of life is not orderly and

gradual process envisioned by Lyell & Darwingradual process envisioned by Lyell & Darwin Are the dinosaurs extinct?Are the dinosaurs extinct? Support your answer.Support your answer.

ImpactImpact

John OstromJohn Ostrom

John Ostrom (1928 – 2005)John Ostrom (1928 – 2005) Paleontologist who discovered the fossil of Paleontologist who discovered the fossil of DeinonychusDeinonychus in the bad in the bad

lands of Montana and Wyoming (1964).lands of Montana and Wyoming (1964). Discovered the close relationship between Discovered the close relationship between Archaeopteryx Archaeopteryx and and

Deinonychus Deinonychus and that birds are living descendents of dinosaurs – an and that birds are living descendents of dinosaurs – an evolved form of Theropod Dinosaurs.evolved form of Theropod Dinosaurs.

Ostrom was the role model for “Dr. Alan Grant” in the move Jurassic Ostrom was the role model for “Dr. Alan Grant” in the move Jurassic Park.Park.

Ostrom changed the view that dinosaurs were sluggish animals that Ostrom changed the view that dinosaurs were sluggish animals that dragged their tails. He also suggested that Hadrosaur dinosaurs dragged their tails. He also suggested that Hadrosaur dinosaurs traveled in herds.traveled in herds.

Neil ShubinNeil Shubin

Neil Shubin (1960 - )Neil Shubin (1960 - ) Evolution Biologist who discovered (along with Ted Evolution Biologist who discovered (along with Ted

Daeschler & Farish Jenkins) “Tiktaalik” on Ellesmere Island Daeschler & Farish Jenkins) “Tiktaalik” on Ellesmere Island Canada (2004).Canada (2004).

Tiktaalik (which means ‘fish with legs’) represents an Tiktaalik (which means ‘fish with legs’) represents an evolutionary intermediate between fish and tetrapods.evolutionary intermediate between fish and tetrapods.

TiktaalikTiktaalik

Louis and Mary LeakeyLouis and Mary Leakey

Louis Leakey (1903 – 1972) Mary Leakey (1913 – 1996)Louis Leakey (1903 – 1972) Mary Leakey (1913 – 1996) Both of the Leakey’s are noted for their discoveries of Both of the Leakey’s are noted for their discoveries of

hominid tools and fossils in East Africa Olduvai Gorge hominid tools and fossils in East Africa Olduvai Gorge including the Laetoli foot prints.including the Laetoli foot prints.

Discovered at Olduvai: Discovered at Olduvai: Australopithecus, Homo habilis, and Australopithecus, Homo habilis, and Homo erectus.Homo erectus.

Laetoli Foot Prints Laetoli Foot Prints Homo habilis Home erectusHomo habilis Home erectus Hominid ToolsHominid Tools

Linus PaulingLinus Pauling

Linus Pauling (1901 – 1994)Linus Pauling (1901 – 1994) Nobel Prize for Chemistry (1954) and Peace Prize (1963)Nobel Prize for Chemistry (1954) and Peace Prize (1963) Chemical structure of proteins (alpha helix)Chemical structure of proteins (alpha helix) Molecular basis for disease (Sickle Cell Hemoglobin) Molecular basis for disease (Sickle Cell Hemoglobin) Developed methods (along with Emile ZuckerKandl) to read the Developed methods (along with Emile ZuckerKandl) to read the

molecular clock of changes in proteins – eventually DNA due to molecular clock of changes in proteins – eventually DNA due to mutrationsmutrations

Using molecules to measure evolutionary change over time.Using molecules to measure evolutionary change over time.

Allan WilsonAllan Wilson

Allan Wilson (1934 – 1991)Allan Wilson (1934 – 1991) Follow up work of Pauling and Zuckerkandl using molecular clock Follow up work of Pauling and Zuckerkandl using molecular clock

to determine evolution of hominids.to determine evolution of hominids. Used DNA sequencing and PCR to help determine evolutionary Used DNA sequencing and PCR to help determine evolutionary

dates of man.dates of man. NeandertalsNeandertals were older lineage of human as was were older lineage of human as was Homo erectusHomo erectus.. Used mtDNA to support ‘out of Africa’ origins of man and Used mtDNA to support ‘out of Africa’ origins of man and

‘mitochondrial Eve’ around 150,000 yrs. ago. ‘mitochondrial Eve’ around 150,000 yrs. ago.