BIO1 - Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Darwins Bright IdeaCharles Robert Darwin (1809-1882)• Born 12 February 1809• Named after his uncle (Charles) and his father (Robert). Referred to as Click HERE for more pictures of “Bobby” by his family Darwin’s home and birthplaceduring his childhood• Grandson of Erasmus Darwin– English physician, natural philosopher, physiologist, inventor, and poetCharles as a childGrandpa ErasmusVoyage of the Beagle (1831-1836)Click HERE for an interactive voyage of the Beagle•27 December 1831: joined HMS Beagle voyage as the ship’s naturalist•5-yr cruise around the world to chart unknown territory, especially along the S. Am. Coastline; visited the Galapagos islandsVoyage of the Beagle (1831-1836)• Galapagos Islands– Group of small islands 1,000 km west of Ecuador– Influenced Darwin’s thinking the most• Characteristics of organisms varied noticeably (Click below to watch videos of the Galapagos fauna)Marine iguanasBlue-footed boobiesTortoisesVoyage of the Beagle (1831-1836)• Galapagos Islands– Darwin’s finches • 13 specimens collected• Brought home to England and studied by ornithologist John GouldAre these finches variants of the same species, or are they different species?Voyage of the Beagle (1831-1836)• Galapagos Islands– Darwin’s finches • 13 specimens collected• Brought home to England and studied by ornithologist John GouldDespite many superficial resemblances, these birds are from distinct species.John GouldZoological Society of LondonVoyage of the Beagle (1831-1836)• Galapagos Islands– Darwin’s finches • 13 specimens collected• Brought home to England and studied by ornithologist John GouldIf they are from different species, why do they have similar appearances? Are they related to each other? Could it be that they were once part of the same species?Voyage of the Beagle (1831-1836)• What Darwin noticed:– The diversity of life– Fitness of organismsAnimals of Australian grasslands1. Feral pig (wild boar; Sus scrofa)122. Eastern grey kangaroo(Macrop34us giganteus) 3. Dingo (Canis lupus dingo)4. European rabbit (Oryctolaguscuniculus)Voyage of the Beagle (1831-1836)• What Darwin noticed:– The diversity of life– Fitness of organismsAnimals of Argentinian grasslands1. Pampas cat (Leopardus pajeros)2. Greater Rhea (Rhea americana)3. Pampas finch (Embernagra platensis)44. Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus)123Voyage of the Beagle (1831-1836)Where did all these Did you know…?life forms come from?Scientists estimate that around 3 to 20 million species exist today, and Why did different that 99.9% of all species species live in certain that ever lived are now places?extinct.Why have so many of them disappeared, and how were they related to living species?