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Reading: Who is Charles Darwin?

Introduction

Biological evolution is change in species over time. The idea of evolution was proposed by many people before Charles Darwin began collecting evidence for the idea. Scientists for hundreds of years had hypothesized that species change over time. But it was not until Darwin published his research and detailed analysis that the idea of evolution started to gain widespread acceptance. Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection brings all fields of biology together and illuminates nearly every aspect of biology. As one famous biologist said, "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution."

Charles Darwin was one of the most influential scientists who has ever lived. Darwin introduced

the world to the theory of evolution by natural selection, which laid the foundation for how we

understand the living world today.

Evolution by natural selection explains:

The tremendous variety of organisms on Earth. Why some organisms that resemble each other are distantly related. Why some organisms that do not resemble each other are closely related.

There are three parts to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection.

1. Evolution, which is change in species over multiple generations.2. Natural selection, in which individuals of a population that are most likely to survive and reproduce

are also most likely to pass on traits that have a genetic basis to any offspring.

3. Adaptation, which are traits that help a plant or animal survive and reproduce in a particular environment. Adaptations are the result of natural selection. For example, light-colored moths on dark trees might be easier for birds to see and catch than dark moths on dark-colored trees. If the moths' color has a genetic basis, then after many generations of birds catching more light moths than dark moths, the population of moths will consist mostly of dark moths.

Humans and the other apes in this drawing all evolved from a common apelike ancestor.

In everyday English, "evolution" simply means to "change" or a "stepwise change from simple to complex." In biology, evolution means change in the inherited traits of a group of organisms over multiple generations. Biological evolution has changed biologists' understanding of all life on Earth.

Darwin’s Observations

Most people in the world did not become aware of the theory of evolution until 1859, when Charles Darwin published his book On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. This book described the observations and evidence that he collected over 20 years of intensive research, beginning with a five-year voyage around the world on a British research ship, the HMS Beagle. During this five-year voyage, Darwin was able to make observations about plants and animals spread around the world, and to collect specimens to study when he returned to England. Each time the Beagle stopped at a port to do some trading, Darwin went on land to explore and look for the local plants, animals, and fossils. One of the most important things Darwin did was to keep a diary. He took extremely detailed notes and drawings about everything he saw as well as his thoughts.

The Galápagos Islands

The around the world voyage of the HMS Beagle was mostly to map the coastline of South America. Darwin’s best known discoveries were made on the Galápagos Islands, a group of 16 volcanic islands near the equator about 600 miles from the west coast of South America. Darwin was able to spend months on foot exploring the islands. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection was a result of his observations and over 20 years of examining the specimens he had collected and sent back to England, many of which came from these islands.

The Galapagos Islands

Darwin was amazed by the array of life he saw on the Galápagos Islands. He saw animals unlike anything he had ever seen before. Darwin was struck by how the same kind of animal differed from one island to another. For example, the iguanas (large lizards) differed between islands. The members of one iguana species spent much of their time swimming and diving underwater for seaweed, while those of another iguana species lived on land and ate cactus. In England, he was accustomed to watching cormorants fly, so he was surprised to find flightless cormorants on the islands alongside flying cormorants.

Giant Tortoises

Giant tortoises, large enough for two men to ride on, plodded across the islands and foraged on super tough leaves. Some of the tortoise species were found on only one island. Darwin was fascinated by the number of ways that organisms were well suited to their environments. Even the tortoise shells were specially adapted to the conditions. Tortoises that ate plants near the ground had rounded shells, while the tortoises that stretched their necks to reach plants higher in shrubs had shells that bent upwards, allowing them to stretch their necks upward.

Darwin's Finches

The most extensively studied animals on the Galápagos are the finch species (birds). When Darwin first observed the finches on the islands, he did not even realize they were all finches. But when he studied them further, he realized they were all the same type of bird, and that each island had its own distinct species of finch. The birds on different islands had many similarities, but their beaks differed in size and shape.

In his diary, Darwin pointed out how each animal is well suited for its particular environment. The shapes of the finch’s beaks on each island were well matched with the seeds available on their particular island, but not the seeds on other islands. A larger and stronger beak was needed to break open large seeds and a small beak was needed to feed on some of the smallest seeds.

Darwin also noticed how different species were distributed around the world. The finch, tortoise and other species found on the Galápagos Islands were similar to species on South America, the nearest continent. Yet they also differed. Likewise, species he saw on islands near Africa were similar to, but different from species on Africa.

Return to England

When Darwin returned to England five years later, he did not rush to announce his discoveries. Unlike other naturalists before him, Darwin did not want to present any ideas unless he had strong evidence supporting them. Instead, once Darwin returned to England, he spent over twenty years examining specimens, talking with other scientists and collecting more information before he presented his theories. Darwin’s observations eventually resulted in the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. His now famous book, The Origin of Species is a diary of his explorations and discussion on how he interpreted his observations.

Charles Darwin presented the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection in this book. These theories were based on evidence he collected and tested.

Natural Selection and Adaptation

The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection means that the inherited traits of a population change over time through natural selection. Inherited traits are features that are passed from one generation to the next. For example, your eye color is an inherited trait (you inherited from your parents). Acquired traits are features such as strong muscles from working out.

Natural selection happens when some organisms have traits that make them better suited (they have better accommodation) to live in a certain environment than others. They are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass their traits on to future generations than those without the special traits. The process of natural selection helps us understand how organisms appear to be so well suited or adapted to their environments. Every plant and animal depends on its traits to survive. Survival may include getting food, building homes, and attracting mates. Most of these traits have been changed through natural selection so they allow a plant, animal, or bacteria to survive and reproduce relatively well in their environments. These

traits are called adaptations. As environments have changed considerably over time, organisms must constantly adapt to those environments. It is the great diversity of species that increases the chance that at least some organisms adapt and survive any major changes in the environment.

Imagine how in winter dark fur makes a rabbit easy for fox to spot and catch in the snow. Natural selection suggests that white-fur is an advantageous trait that improves the chance that a rabbit will survive, reproduce and pass the trait of white fur on to future generations. Dark fur rabbits will become uncommon.

In winter, the fur of Arctic Hares turns white. The camouflage may make it more difficult for fox and other predators to locate

hares against the white snow.

Idea Map…

Charles Darwin